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Gender policy memo

<p>Gender policy memo</p>

DFA proposed emergency rule

<p>DFA proposed emergency rule</p>

Legislative audit of Augusta

<p>Legislative audit of Augusta</p>

Little Rock School District Board of Education Meeting Draft Strategic Plan Framework

<p>Little Rock School District Board of Education Meeting <span style="font-size: 14px;"></span><span style="font-size: 14px;">Draft Strategic Plan Framework</span></p>

Sen. Blake Johnson letter

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Supreme Court order 03_05_24

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Student overnight travel/public school restrooms

<p>Student overnight travel/public school restrooms</p>

Legal student transfers

<p>Legal student transfers</p>

Public School Choice

<p>Public School Choice</p>

Educator performance

<p>Educator performance</p>

Right to Read

<p>Right to Read</p>

Community service

<p>Community service </p>

Student protection

<p>Student protection</p>

Transformation contracts

<p>Transformation contracts</p>

Hester letter 02_23_2024

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Jefferson County District 4 Q-and-A

<p>Patricia Royal Johnson and Win Trafford, candidates for the District 4 seat on the Jefferson County quorum court, answer questions ahead of the March 5, 2024 primary.&nbsp;</p>

House District 65 Q-and-A

<p>Kanisher Wooten Caldwell, candidate for the District 65 seat in Arkansas&#39; House of Representatives, answer questions ahead of the March 5, 2024 primary.</p>

CRB meeting minutes on annual report

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">CRB meeting minutes indicating that the board did create at least one annual report</span></p>

Racop documents

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">A selection of documents related to the review request submitted by Russ Racop in 2020</span></p>

CRB Ordinance

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Ordinance establishing the Little Rock Citizen&#39;s Review Board</span></p>

CRB Ordinance and Bylaws

<p>CRB Ordinance and Bylaws</p>

Racop, Davis review documents

<p>Racop, Davis review documents</p>

Davis review request

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">A selection of documents related to the review request submitted by Ryan Davis in 2020</span></p>

CRB bylaws

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Bylaws of the Little Rock Citizen&#39;s Review Board, obtained via public records request</span></p>

CRB emails

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Emails supplied discussing the city&#39;s problems with the board&#39;s share drive folder</span></p>

Local Voters in Charge casino amendment

<p>A ballot committee calling itself Local Voters in Charge submitted to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin&rsquo;s office a proposed constitutional amendment Friday that would repeal the Arkansas Racing Commission&rsquo;s authority to issue a casino license in Pope County under Amendment 100 to the Arkansas Constitution. The proposed constitutional amendment also would require local voter approval in a countywide special election for any new casino licenses in Arkansas. Under the proposed constitutional amendment, the Arkansas Racing Commission would no longer be required to award a casino license to an applicant for a casino in Pope County within two miles of the city limits of the county seat. The commission would be required to issue three casino licenses rather than four casino licenses under this proposal.</p>

Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024

<p>Arkansas Educational Rights Amendment of 2024</p>

Memo from Tom Carpenter

<p>Memo from Tom Carpenter</p>

Medical marijuana proposal, 2-5-2024 revision

<p>The group behind a proposed constitutional amendment to ease access to medical marijuana resubmitted ballot wording for its proposal Monday, February 5, 2024. Arkansans for Patient Access is proposing an amendment that would allow nurse practitioners, physicians&rsquo; assistants and pharmacists &mdash; in addition to doctors &mdash; to sign off on medical cards, and would allow patients to grow cannabis at home, among other reforms. The popular name for the proposal is the Arkansas Medical Cannabis Amendment of 2024.</p>

Eddie Joe Williams letter

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Eddie Joe Williams letter of resignation

<p>Eddie Joe Williams letter of resignation</p>

Proposed amendment to amend the initiative and referendum process

<p>Proposed amendment to amend the initiative and referendum process</p>

Griffin letter to Williams 2_2_24

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

AG letter to Magness

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p><p><br></p>

Lawsuit filed against First Baptist Church in Benton

<p>Lawsuit filed against First Baptist Church in Benton</p>

Order - Ark. NAACP v. Ark. Board of Apportionment

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Patrick Miller's Motion to Withdraw Petition to Seal

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Patrick Miller&#39;s Motion to Withdraw Petition to Seal</span></p>

Patrick Miller's motion to seal

<p>Patrick Miller&#39;s motion to seal</p>

Arkansas Concealed Handgun License Rules

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Greg Abbott letter declares invasion of Texas

<p>In a letter dated January 24, 2024, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott writes, &quot;The federal government has broken the compact between the United States and the States. The Executive Branch of the United States has a constitutional duty to enforce federal laws protecting States, including immigration laws on the books right now. President Biden has refused to enforce those laws and has even violated them. The result is that he has smashed records for illegal immigration.&quot; Abbott argues that Biden&#39;s &quot;illegal refusal to protect the States has inflicted unprecedented harm on the People all across the United States,&quot; and Abbott says he has &quot;already declared an invasion&quot; and invoked &quot;Texas&rsquo;s constitutional authority to defend and protect itself. That authority is the supreme law of the land and supersedes any federal statutes to the contrary. The Texas National Guard, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and other Texas personnel are acting on that authority, as well as state law, to secure the Texas border.&quot;</p>

Statement Supporting Texas’ Constitutional Right to Self-Defense

<p><strong style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bolder; color: rgb(32, 32, 32); font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">WASHINGTON, D.C. &ndash;</strong><span style="color: rgb(32, 32, 32); font-family: helvetica; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">&nbsp;25 Republican governors released the following joint statement in support of Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Texas&rsquo; constitutional right to self-defense.&nbsp;</span></p>

Maumelle agenda 01.22.24

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Copy of the FOIA lawsuit filed with state Supreme Court

<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica;"><em>ARKANSAS CITIZENS FOR TRANSPARENCY&nbsp;</em><em>VS</em></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica;"><em>TIM GRIFFIN IN HIS CAPACITY</em></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica;"><em>AS ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE</em></p><p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica;"><em>STATE OF ARKANSAS</em></p>

Lee Watson, Board of Corrections response to Sanders

<p>Arkansas Board of Corrections member Lee Watson wrote an open letter to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and others on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 saying he objects to what appear to be efforts to politicize the non-political board. &quot;Today, you attack the Board of Corrections and seek to diminish its constitutional authority under Amendment 33,&quot; wrote Watson. &quot;What happens tomorrow? Will you set your sights on the boards of higher education? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission? The State Highway Commission? Nonprofits? Other bodies that are protected from inappropriate influence ...?&quot; Besides Sanders, the open letter also addressed Attorney General Tim Griffin, members of the Legislature -- specifically Sens. Bart Hester of Cave Springs and Ben Gilmore of Crossett and Rep. Jimmy Gazaway of Paragould -- and all other constitutional boards and commissions.</p>

Act 7 Report 2nd and 1st Qtr combined

<p>Act 7 Report 2nd and 1st Qtr combined. Colonel Mike Hagar, in a letter dated January 5, 2024, writes, &quot;As directed by Act 7 of 2023, Section 2, the Department of Public Safety shall report on a quarterly basis that identifies by month and budget category the expenses incurred by the Executive Protection Detail for services provided to the Governor. Enclosed is the report for the quarter October 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.&quot; The quarter from July 1, 2023 through September 30, 2023 is also included.</p>

Senators letter on Lloyd Austin hospitalization

<p>U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is among the senators pressing the Defense Department to provide information related to Secretary Lloyd Austin&rsquo;s recent hospitalization and &ldquo;the apparent breakdown in communications&rdquo; between Austin, the White House and Congress. Republican members of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter to Austin on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 demanding more information about the secrecy surrounding the secretary&rsquo;s treatment for prostate cancer, in which the Biden administration and top officials were unaware of Austin&rsquo;s medical treatment. Austin has taken responsibility for the lack of transparency. White House officials have promised to review procedures related to administration leaders disclosing absences. &ldquo;Our branches of government share a sacred obligation to work together to keep the American people safe. We cannot do this without clear and open communication,&rdquo; the dozen senators wrote. &ldquo;Your statement provided on January 6th is wholly insufficient to address the situation.&rdquo; The letter poses 17 questions to Defense Department officials, and says the Biden administration &quot;needs to provide answers on how it complied with the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA). The FVRA is an extension of the inviolable Constitutional principle that the American people have the final say, through the Senate&rsquo;s consent, over who fills our nation&rsquo;s most important executive roles.&quot;</p>

Timber Ridge complaint

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Harding resolution

<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p><span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'DeVinne';">To commend and congratulate the Harding University foot- ball team for winning the 2023 National Collegiate Ath- letic Association Division II national championship.&nbsp;</span></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p><br></p>

ACT response to AG decision

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Read ACT response to AG decision&nbsp;</span></p>

Governor Sanders Condemns Biden's Department of Defense for Infringing on Service Members' Freedom of Religion

<p>Governor Sanders Condemns Biden&#39;s Department of Defense for Infringing on Service Members&#39; Freedom of Religion.</p>

Southern Baptist sexual abuse resolution

<p>In Resolution 6 of 2022, titled &quot;Resolution On Lament and Repentance for Sexual Abuse,&quot; the Southern Baptist Church resolves &quot;That the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Anaheim, California, June 14-15, 2022, denounce in the strongest possible terms every instance of sexual abuse, those who perpetrate abuse, and those who seek to defend or protect these perpetrators;&quot; adding, &quot;We publicly apologize to and ask forgiveness from survivors of sexual abuse for our failure to care well for survivors, for our failure to hold perpetrators of sexual abuse adequately accountable in our churches and institutions, for our institutional responses which have prioritized the reputation of our institutions over protection and justice for survivors, and for the unspeakable harm this failure has caused to survivors through both our action and inaction.&quot; The resolution adds, &quot;We recognize and appreciate the work and advocacy of sexual abuse survivors, repent of our resistance and neglect of their efforts, and unreservedly apologize to survivors mentioned in the report, including Christa Brown, Susan Codone, Megan Lively, Jennifer Lyell, Anne Marie Miller, David Pittman, Tiffany Thigpen, Debbie Vasquez, Hannah-Kate Williams, and Jules Woodson, for our not heeding their collective warnings and taking swift action to address clergy sexual abuse sooner,&quot; noting that those survivors all gave consent to have their names mentioned.</p>

Central Arkansas Homeless Suport Guide

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Biden 2023 pardon for marijuana possession, use

<p>President Joe Biden, who pardoned simple marijuana crimes reported in Washington, D.C., and on federal lands in 2022, issued another pardon on Friday, December 22, 2023, saying, &quot;As I have said before, convictions for simple possession of marijuana have imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. Through this proclamation, consistent with the grant of Proclamation 10467, I am pardoning additional individuals who may continue to experience the unnecessary collateral consequences of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana, attempted simple possession of marijuana, or use of marijuana.&quot;</p>

Sanders' letter calling on BOC chairman Benny Magness to resign

<p>Sanders&#39; letter calling on BOC Chairman Benny Magness to resign</p>

Supreme Court rejects fast-tracking U.S. v Trump

<p>In a one-sentence order issued Friday, December 22, 2023 by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of United States v. Trump, Donald J., the court writes simply, &quot;The petition for a writ of certiorari before judgment is denied.&quot;</p>

Sanders to Magness: Resign Board of Corrections

<p>After Arkansas Board of Corrections Chairman Benny Magness requested the deployment of 138 members of the Arkansas National Guard to help with staffing the state&#39;s prisons in order to meet Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders&#39; call to add hundreds more prisoners, Sanders responded in writing that &quot;Your letter is yet another example of the desire to play political games, and this time you are involving our brave National guardsmen and women as pawns.&quot; Sanders added, &quot;It is clear to me, and to the people of Arkansas, that you are not interested in fulfilling the stated purpose of the Board. Criminals are not being held accountable for their actions, victim needs are not being addressed positively, and the safety of society is being ignored. That is why I signed the Protect Act, to which you testified against, into law. With that in mind, it is at this time that I must call for your immediate resignation. It is clear that the Board of Corrections is incapable of rational, reasonable, or fiscally responsible decision making under your leadership. Much as it has been over the past two decades, you believe that you are the sole member of the board. Your letters, actions, and commands issued at the department, which lack prior board approval or a public board vote, make that glaringly obvious. You refuse to abide by the law or operate in the public eye, engaging in conduct that does not constitute an official action of the Board. After 27 years, it is time for you to stand out of the way of progress and let someone actually focused on the safety of Arkansans take your place on the board. Someone who shares an actual concern for the situation in which we find ourselves, rather than someone who cares only about his own power.&quot;</p>

BOC protection order

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Educational Rights Amendment of 2024

<p>An Arkansas ballot committee, calling itself &ldquo;For AR Kids,&rdquo; on Thursday, December 21, 2023 submitted to the attorney general&rsquo;s office proposed ballot language for a constitutional amendment that would expand the state&rsquo;s obligation to provide an adequate education to public school students in Arkansas, and require all schools that receive state or local funds to meet the same state academic and accreditation standards. The failure of any non-public school to comply with identical state academic and accreditation standards shall result in the loss of local or state funds under the proposed constitutional amendment. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders&rsquo; spokeswoman, Alexa Henning said in a written statement that &ldquo;It&rsquo;s sad that there are some who do not want to give our kids every opportunity to succeed.&rdquo;</p>

Magness requests National Guard for prisons

<p>The chairman of the Arkansas Board of Corrections on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023 asked Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to activate 138 National Guardsmen to bolster state prison system staff, the Department of Corrections announced Thursday, December 21. Benny Magness made the request in a letter to Sanders on Wednesday to &ldquo;help fill in staffing gaps within the Division of Correction,&rdquo; according to a news release from the department. He asked for 40 National Guardsmen to be activated and serve in &ldquo;non-inmate supervisory security positions&rdquo; at the Maximum Security Unit in England, as well as the Tucker Unit. According to the letter, the guardsmen will relieve certified correctional staff, allowing that staff to help provide the needed staffing to reactivate 124 beds at the Tucker Re-Entry Center. &ldquo;The Guardsmen will fill positions which are staffed 24 hours per day, 7 days per week,&rdquo; he said in the letter.</p>

FOIA initiated measure proposal

<p>The text of the initiated measure to create the Arkansas Government Transparency Act, along with multiple ballot titles, is provided by the Arkansas Citizens for Transparency committee on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023 in response to changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.</p>

Arkansas Citizens for Transparency FOIA proposals

<p>The Arkansas Citizens for Transparency committee on Thursday, December 21, 2023 submitted to the Arkansas attorney general&rsquo;s office the committee&rsquo;s second version of a proposed initiated act aimed at strengthening the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. The second version has four different popular names and ballot titles for the proposed act: The Arkansas Open Meetings and Open Records in State and Local Government Act, the Arkansas Government Transparency Act, the Arkansas Government Disclosure Act, and the Arkansas Government Openness Act. The text of the committee&rsquo;s second version of the proposed initiated act would have the state House speaker, the state House minority party leader, the state Senate president pro tempore, the state Senate minority party leader and the lieutenant governor appoint one member each of the Arkansas Government Transparency Commission.</p>

Griffin's motion to vacate

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Motion to vacate with exhibit

<p>Motion to vacate with exhibit</p>

Judge Tim Fox order

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

AG opinion on FOIA proposal

<p>AG opinion on FOIA proposal</p>

SHS letter to Gov. Sanders

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">SHS letter to Gov. Sanders</span> </p>

AG's motion for reconsideration

<p>AG&#39;s motion for reconsideration</p>

Motion to disqualify plantiff's counsel

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">motion to disqualify plantiff&#39;s counsel</span> </p>

Defendant's motion to dismiss

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">defendant&#39;s motion to dismiss</span></p>

Temporary restraining order

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Temporary restraining order</span> </p>

AG lawsuit to Board of Corrections

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">AG lawsuit to Board of Corrections</span> </p>

Magness response to Gov and AG

<p>Magness response to Gov and AG</p>

Ark board of corrections complaint

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Ark board of corrections complaint</span> </p>

Read Natural State Initiative outline

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Read Natural State Initiative outline</span> </p>

Jones letter digital

<p>Jones letter digital</p>

Risever Letter Act 636

<p>Risever Letter Act 636</p>

ACT Drafting Committee Statement Regarding AG Opinion

<p>ACT Drafting Committee Statement Regarding AG Opinion </p>

AG rejection to FOIA amendment language

<p>Opinion No. 2023-113</p><p>I am writing in response to your request, made under A.C.A. &sect; 7-9-107, that I certify the popular name and ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment.</p><p>My decision to certify or reject a popular name and ballot title is unrelated to my view of the proposed measure&rsquo;s merits. I am not authorized to consider the measure&rsquo;s merits when considering certification.</p>

Copy of the AG's rejection letter

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Copy of the AG&#39;s rejection letter</span></p>

Amazon internal memo on Southern California

<p>An internal Amazon memo has provided a stark look at the company&rsquo;s carefully laid out plans to grow its influence in Southern California through a plethora of efforts that include burnishing its reputation through charity work and pushing back against &ldquo;labor agitation&rdquo; from the Teamsters and other groups. The eight-page document &mdash; titled &ldquo;community engagement plan&rdquo; for 2024 &mdash; provides a rare glimpse into how one of America&rsquo;s biggest companies executes on its public relations objectives and attempts to curtail reputational harm stemming from criticisms of its business. It also illustrates how Amazon aims to methodically court local politicians and community groups in order to push its interests in a region where it could be hampered by local moratoriums on warehouse development, and it is facing resistance from environmental and labor activists. This document was shared on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, by Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, a Democrat and former California assemblywoman who left state government to serve as chief of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO.</p>

AP African American studies framework

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Framework comparison for AP African American studies

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

State Supreme Court decision

<p>In a 4-3 ruling, the Arkansas Supreme Court has authorized expedited consideration of the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative&rsquo;s appeal of a Pulaski County circuit judge&rsquo;s dismissal of the group&rsquo;s lawsuit challenging the legality of the state&rsquo;s ballot-counting machines. In an order dated Tuesday, Supreme Court Justices Cody Hiland, Barbara Webb, Shawn Womack and Rhonda Wood opted to grant the group&rsquo;s motion to expedite consideration of the group&rsquo;s appeal of Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox&rsquo;s ruling in September, according to court records. Justices Dan Kemp, Courtney Hudson and Karen Baker dissented.</p>

Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land report

<div title="Page 2">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; color: rgb(0.000000%, 12.200000%, 37.300000%);">Foreign Holdings of U.S. Agricultural Land through December 31, 2021, by the Farm Service Agency and the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture.&nbsp;</span></p></div>

2023 Arkansas Civic Health Index

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Governors letter on Chinese land ownership

<p>Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and fellow Republican governors are asking the Biden administration and congressional leaders to address foreign ownership of private American lands. In a letter dated December 4, 2023, the governors write, &quot;Dear President Biden, Secretary Yellen, Speaker Johnson, Leader Schumer, Leader Jeffries, and Leader McConnell: Numerous governors and state legislatures have taken action to protect our citizens from the imminent national security threat of the Chinese Communist Party (&ldquo;CCP&rdquo;). But national security demands a national response from national leaders. The responsibility is now with you&mdash;follow the lead of our States and prevent CCP amassing of American lands.&quot; The letter notes that &quot;On October 17, 2023, Arkansas even became the first state in the country to act under such a law, ordering Syngenta Seeds, LLC, (&lsquo;Syngenta&rdquo;) to divest of one-hundred and sixty acres of land in Craighead County, Arkansas. Syngenta is a wholly owned subsidiary of the China National Chemical Corporation, Ltd.,--an entity recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as a &ldquo;Chinese Military Company.&rdquo;&quot; The letter says that &quot;For too long, we have allowed dangerous and adversarial governments to infiltrate our country. Our States will tolerate such allowances no longer,&quot; and argues that the call to action &quot;is not about where anyone is from. Our states welcome Chinese Americans and anyone else who has escaped foreign oppression for American freedom. This is about where your loyalties lie. We simply cannot trust those who pledge allegiance to a hostile foreign power.&quot;</p>

State Regulation of Foreign Ownership of U.S. Land

<p><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">State and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT'; color: rgb(0.000000%, 0.000000%, 100.000000%);">federal&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">lawmakers have expressed interest in legislative options to address the potential national security and economic implications of foreign ownership of U.S. land. During the first six months of 2023, at least 15 states enacted legislation regulating foreign ownership of real property.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Draft of proposed Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment

<p>Draft of proposed Arkansas Government Transparency Amendment </p>

AG opinion on abortion amendment

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">AG opinion on abortion amendment</span> </p>

Griffin's proposed popular name and ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment on state’s abortion

<p>Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin on Tuesday rejected a proposed popular name and ballot title for a proposed constitutional amendment that would overhaul the state&rsquo;s restrictive abortion law.</p>

Letter to Gov Sanders from Magness

<p>Letter from chairman of Arkansas Board of Corrections to Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders</p>

LRSD polling places

<p>Polling places will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., today, in the</p><p>Little Rock School Board&#39;s Zone 5 in the north-central part of the city</p><p>and at the Pulaski County Regional Building.</p>

EFA payment processing rules 11.9.23

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Pine Bluff firefighters unions letter on sales tax

<p>The presidents of three firefighter unions that represent the Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services employees signed a letter addressed to Mayor Shirley Washington endorsing a sales tax of three-eighths of a percent that would benefit the fire and police departments. Joseph Kisel of International Association of Fire Fighters Local 14; Mozell Gipson of BRAVE, the Pine Bluff chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters; and Russell Carothers of the Fraternal Order of Firefighters signed the letter, dated Oct. 25, 2023. &ldquo;Our men and women of the Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services come to work every day, proud and grateful to have the opportunity to serve the citizens of Pine Bluff,&rdquo; the letter reads in part. &ldquo;The need for a permanent tax for Emergency Services has been needed for a long time. In passing this tax, the Fire Department will be able to retain highly trained and qualified personnel by having an opportunity to compete financially with other cities with pay increases for department members. It will also allow the department to bring on and properly train new personnel with the addition of a new burn facility.&rdquo;</p>

Cassie Cantlon resignation letter

<p>An Arkansas state employee who was part of email exchanges regarding the purchase of a $19,000 lectern by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders&#39; office submitted her resignation letter Friday, November 3, 2023, saying she has accepted employment at another state agency. Cassie Cantlon, an administrative service manager at the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, said in her resignation letter dated Friday that she will leave the department Nov. 24 to take a position with another state agency. Cantlon was one of several state employees who discussed in emails the purchase of the lectern, which has become the subject of a legislative audit. The letter states that Cantlon&#39;s last day with the TSS office will be November 24, 2023.</p>

Full list of schools and awards

<p>Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. &sect;6-15-2107, the Arkansas School Recognition Program was created to provide financial</p><p>awards to public schools that experience high student performance, student academic growth, and for secondary schools,</p><p>high graduation rate.</p>

Arkansas School Recognition Program award recipients

<p>A total of 163 Arkansas public schools &mdash; including charter schools &mdash; are newly identified as recipients of $6,950,900 in rewards &nbsp;for student achievement and/or improvement on the ACT Aspire exams last spring and, if applicable, the 2021-2022 high school graduation rates.</p>

Governors' letter on NCAA transgender athletes

<p>A letter sent to the National Collegiate Athletics Association&#39;s Committee on Competitive Safeguards and Medical Aspects of Sports was signed by nine governors; along with Arkansas&#39; Sarah Huckabee Sanders, they include Govs. Kristi Noem of South Dakota, Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi, Gov. Mike Parson of Missouri, Gov. Greg Gianforte of Montana, Gov. Joe Lombardo of Nevada, Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas and Gov. Mark Gordon of Wyoming. The letter argues that &quot;The NCAA has the chance to guarantee an environment where female college athletes can thrive without the concern of inequities,&quot; and the governors add, &quot;We trust that you also want to guarantee just such an environment. But this policy allows the NCAA to avoid responsibility for ensuring the fairness of collegiate sports &ndash; therefore it must be changed.&quot; The letter adds that &quot;Science proves that it is fundamentally unfair for a biological male to compete against a biological female &ndash; that does not change when someone declares themselves as being of a different gender,&quot; citing Riley Gaines&#39; tie with transgender athlete Lia Thomas in swimming, and saying that &quot;hundreds of high school aged boys have run faster times&quot; than Allyson Felix.</p>

The Arkansas Poll, 2023 – Summary Report

<p>A summary of the 2023 Arkansas poll</p>

5-year action plan

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

State Supreme Court ruling on Pope County casino

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">State Supreme Court ruling on Pope County casino</span> </p>

Maurice Taggart text messages

<p>From his relationships with Go Forward Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff city officials and the inner workings of Pine Bluff Urban Renewal, Maurice Taggart provided The Pine Bluff Commercial with conversations, text messages and emails involving himself and several officials, which he said he could easily access through his cellphone.</p>

Sanders' 10/19/23 Executive Order

<p><span style='color: rgb(32, 32, 32); font-family: "times new roman", times, baskerville, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>EXECUTIVE ORDER TO ELIMINATE WOKE, ANTI-WOMEN WORDS FROM STATE GOVERNMENT AND RESPECT WOMEN</span></p>

Fed Survey of Consumer Finances, family report

<p>From the report: &quot;The Federal Reserve Board&rsquo;s triennial Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) collects information about family income, net worth, balance sheet components, credit use, and other financial outcomes. The Federal Reserve has fielded the modern version of the interview survey of U.S. families every three years since 1989. Between the 2019 and 2022 surveys, the covid-19 pandemic severely disrupted society and economic activity. Nonetheless, the SCF reveals broad-based improvements in U.S. family finances over this period, particularly with respect to net worth. Key findings in this report include the following: Between the 2019 and 2022 surveys, real median family income (which is measured for the year before the survey) rose a relatively modest 3 percent, while real mean family income grew 15 percent. Increases in income were experienced across the income distribution but were largest at the top, consistent with some increase in income inequality over this period. Indeed, the between-survey growth in mean income was one of the largest three-year changes over the history of the modern SCF. A relatively large share of families, 28 percent, reported that their income during the 2021 calendar year differed from its usual amount&mdash;that is, their &ldquo;usual income&rdquo;&mdash;reflecting elevated shares of both families with higher-than-usual income and families with lower-than-usual income.&quot;</p>

Task force recommendations on human trafficking

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Supreme Court ruling on LEARNS

<p>Supreme Court of Arkansas opinion ruling on LEARNS act.&nbsp;</p>

Draft FOIA Amendment Cover Letter (v2)--signed

<p>Arkansas citizens for transparency amendment.&nbsp;</p>

Hamilton email on not being allowed to pre-pay

Hamilton email on not being allowed to pre-pay

Hamilton on podium price

Hamilton on podium price

Podium reimbursement documents and check

Podium reimbursement documents and check

Email from Cantlon about 20K limit

Email from Cantlon about 20K limit

Hamilton email to Hogland on having price for custom podium for governor

Hamilton email to Hogland on having price for custom podium for governor

Email from Cantlon about Hamilton's notations

Email from Cantlon about Hamilton's notations on docs

Re: Hogland 05 31 23

<p>Response email from Jason Hogland to Laura Hamilton explaining that state purchasing regulations do not permit payment for items before delivery.&nbsp;</p>

Pricing Podium 05 31 23

<p>Email from Executive Assistant and Office Manager, Laura Hamilton, to Jason Hogland requesting payment to the vendor of the podium up front.</p>

Cassie Cantlon 05 31 23

<p>Email from Administrative Services Manager, Cassie Cantlon, explaining that anything over $20k needs to come from a Director level for the purchase price approval.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Re Hamilton 05 31 23

<p>Response to Jason Hogland email</p>

Education Freedom Account Annual Report

<p>Education Freedom Account Annual Report</p><p>The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to submit this Education Freedom Account (&ldquo;EFA&rdquo;) annual report for the inaugural year of EFAs, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. &sect; 6-18-2510. This report covers the period between the launch of EFAs (June 19, 2023) and September 20, 2023.</p>

Opinion no 2023-059 AG Tim Griffin

<p>Opinion number 2023-059</p><p>From Attorney General Tim Griffin to Senator Missy Thomas Irvin</p><p>Response to request for opinion on whether a school board&#39;s adoption of a model policy of the Arkansas School Board Association would violate Arkansas law.</p>

Irvin Letter 10623

<p>Letter from Senator Missy Thomas Irvin in response to Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin&#39;s Opinion letter:</p><p>This week the Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin submitted an Opinion (2023-059) to clarify the laws concerning Arkansas School Board Association&#39;s policies concerning previous legislation I had written.</p>

Tom Mars letter

<p>Letter from Tom Mars attorneys office to Sen. Jimmy Hickey.</p>

Hickey's lectern letter

<p>Pursuant to the rules of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, Irequest one or more audits regarding the following matters:</p><p>(1) the purchase of a podium or lectern from Beckett Events LLC for the use of the Governor&#39;s Office; and</p><p>(2) all matters, involving the Governor or the Governor&#39;s Office, made confidential by Section 4(a) ofAct 7 oftheFirst Extraordinary Session of 2023.</p><p><br></p>

Hickey letter requesting audit on lectern

<p>In a letter to Arkansas state Sen. David Wallace and state Rep. Jim Gazaway, the Senate and House chairmen of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, Sen. Jimmy Hickey Jr. requests &quot;one or more audits regarding the following matters: (1) the purchase of a podium or lectern from Beckett Events LLC for the use of the Governor&#39;s Office, and (2) all matters, involving the Governor or the Governor&#39;s Office, made confidential by Section 4(a) of Act 7 of the First Extraordinary Session of 2023.&quot; Hickey also requests that Arkansas Legislative Audit develop procedures &quot;for reporting my request (2) above, and any similar requests in the future.&quot;</p>

Sept 25th HUD letter to MHA

<p>Letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to notify the Metropolitan Housing Alliance (MHA) that the HUD Office of Recapitalization is proposing to revoke the Commitments to Enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (CHAP) contract awarded to the Housing Authority of the City of Little Rock (LHRA).&nbsp;</p>

Rupert Murdoch to retire from Fox Corp.

<p>In a letter to Fox employees dated Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, Rupert Murdoch writes, &quot;Dear Colleagues, I am writing to let you all know that I have decided to transition to the role of Chairman Emeritus at Fox and News. For my entire professional life, I have been engaged daily with news and ideas, and that will not change. But the time is right for me to take on different roles, knowing that we have truly talented teams and a passionate, principled leader in Lachlan who will become sole Chairman of both companies. Neither excessive pride nor false humility are admirable qualities. But I am truly proud of what we have achieved collectively through the decades, and I owe much to my colleagues, whose contributions to our success have sometimes been unseen outside the company but are deeply appreciated by me. Whether the truck drivers distributing our papers, the cleaners who toil when we have left the office, the assistants who support us or the skilled operators behind the cameras or the computer code, we would be less successful and have less positive impact on society without your day-after-day dedication. Our companies are in robust health, as am I. Our opportunities far exceed our commercial challenges. We have every reason to be optimistic about the coming years&mdash;I certainly am, and plan to be here to participate in them. But the battle for the freedom of speech and, ultimately, the freedom of thought, has never been more intense. My father firmly believed in freedom, and Lachlan is absolutely committed to the cause. Self-serving bureaucracies are seeking to silence those who would question their provenance and purpose. Elites have open contempt for those who are not members of their rarefied class. Most of the media is in cahoots with those elites, peddling political narratives rather than pursuing the truth. In my new role, I can guarantee you that I will be involved every day in the contest of ideas. Our companies are communities, and I will be an active member of our community. I will be watching our broadcasts with a critical eye, reading our newspapers and websites and books with much interest, and reaching out to you with thoughts, ideas, and advice. When I visit your countries and companies, you can expect to see me in the office late on a Friday afternoon. I look forward to seeing you wherever you work and whatever your responsibility. And I urge you to make the most of this great opportunity to improve the world we live in.&quot;</p>

Letter to Governor Sanders

<p>Letter from the U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona, to Governor Sarah Huckabee-Sanders detailing the impact of the underfunding of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.&nbsp;</p>

Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan on Ken Paxton

<p>In an open letter after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted of the charges for which he was impeached, House Speaker Dade Phelan, a fellow Republican, wrote, &quot;Over the last two weeks, the Texas House Board of Managers provided the Texas Senate and the people of Texas extensive evidence of Ken Paxton&rsquo;s corruption, deception and self-dealing. It is extremely unfortunate that after hearing and evaluating this evidence, the Texas Senate chose not to remove him from office. Moreover, I find it deeply concerning that after weeks of claiming he would preside over this trial in an impartial and honest manner, Lt. Governor Patrick would conclude by confessing his bias and placing his contempt for the people&rsquo;s House on full display. To be clear, Patrick attacked the House for standing up against corruption. His tirade disrespects the Constitutional impeachment process afforded to us by the founders of this great state. The inescapable conclusion is that today&rsquo;s outcome appears to have been orchestrated from the start, cheating the people of Texas of justice. This impeachment was set in motion because Ken Paxton requested millions of taxpayer dollars to settle a lawsuit brought by conservative, senior employees who Paxton himself recruited to his office. These brave individuals were willing to sacrifice their reputations and careers to fight against the misconduct they witnessed, which included abuse of power, corruption, allegations of bribery, and allowing Nate Paul to act as the de facto Attorney General of Texas.&quot;</p>

Examples of 'indoctrination'

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Letter from Lakeside superintendent

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State audit report for the City of Pine Bluff

<p>Arkansas Legislative Joint Auditing Committee<span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">&#39;s report on the audit of financial statements for the City of Pine Bluff</span></p>

Letter from MHA board of commissioners

<p>Letter from the Metropolitan Housing Alliance board of commissioners&nbsp;</p>

Senate bill 3 vaccine mandate

<p>Senate bill 3: an act to prohibit the government from mandating a vaccination of immunization for coronavirus 2019 or any subvariants of coronavirus 2019.</p>

house bill 1011

<p>House Bill 1011 an act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967</p>

House Bill 1010

<p>House Bill 1010 an act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967</p>

House bill 1011 FOIA amendment

<p>House Bill 1011 an act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967</p>

House bill 1009 FOIA amendment

<p>House version of bill with proposed freedom of information act amendments.</p>

Senate bill 9 FOIA amendment

<p>Senate version of bill with proposed freedom of information act amendments.</p>

House bill 1003

<p>Act to Amend the freedom of information act of 1967. To exempt certain records from disclosure under FOIA of 1967.</p>

Letter from French Hill to Marcia Fudge HUD

<p>Letter from French Hill to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia Fudge requesting details about HUD&#39;s investigation in the Little Rock housing authority.&nbsp;</p>

Draft bill of proposed changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act

<p>Draft version of bill of proposed changes to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act state Legislators are expected to pursue in Monday&#39;s special session.&nbsp;</p><p>THIS IS A DRAFT BILL. THE OFFICIAL BILL HAS NOT BEEN FILED.&nbsp;</p>

Senate bill 7

<p>Act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967; to exempt certain records from disclosure.&nbsp;</p>

Arkansas Community Institute report

<p>Arkansas Community Institute report that outlines how Arkansas eviction laws favor the landlord rather than the tenant.&nbsp;</p>

2023 HUD report

<p>QAD-FMR-MOR-2023-AR004 REPORT HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF LITTLE ROCK</p><p>Report issued to the Little Rock public housing authority by the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development that identifies serious lapses in financial management.</p>

Arkansas Act 656 of 2023

<p>Act 656 of 2023, &quot;An Act Concerning Federally Funded Child Nutrition Programs; To Create A Means By Which Students Who Qualify For Reduced-price Meals At School Receive Free Meals At School; And For Other Purposes,&quot; was previously Senate Bill 477 and was introduced by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe. It enables students who qualify for reduced-price school meals &mdash; an eligibility that is based on family income &mdash; to receive those breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to them. Specifically, the new state law directs that a &ldquo;public school that serves a school breakfast or a school lunch as part of a child nutrition program shall not charge a qualifying student a reduced-price co-payment for a school breakfast or a school lunch.&rdquo; In the 2022-23 school year, the most recent year for which data is available, approximately 46,000 of the state&rsquo;s nearly 477,000 public school students qualified for reduced-price school meals, according to Kimberly Mundell, a spokesperson for the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. The typical parent co-pays were 40 cents per school lunch and 30 cents per breakfast, Mundell said.</p>

Texas resolution impeaching Attorney General Ken Paxton

<p>Texas House Resolution 2377 lays out the articles of impeachment against Attorney General Ken Paxton, including Disregard of Official Duty, Protection of Charitable Organization: &quot;While holding office as attorney general, Warren Kenneth Paxton violated the duties of his office by failing to act as public protector of charitable organizations as required by Chapter 123, Property Code. Specifically, Paxton caused employees of his office to intervene in a lawsuit brought by the Roy F. &amp; JoAnn Cole Mitte Foundation against several corporate entities controlled by Nate Paul. Paxton harmed the Mitte Foundation in an effort to benefit Paul.&quot; Also in the articles are Misapplication of Public Resources, Whistleblower Investigation and Report: &quot;While holding office as attorney general, Warren Kenneth Paxton misused public resources entrusted to him. Specifically, Paxton directed employees of his office to conduct a sham investigation into whistleblower complaints made by employees whom Paxton had terminated and to create and publish a lengthy written report containing false or misleading statements in Paxton&#39;s defense.&quot; The 20th and final article of impeachment states that Paxton &quot;used, misused, or failed to use his official powers in a manner calculated to subvert the lawful operation of the government of the State of Texas and obstruct the fair and impartial administration of justice, thereby bringing the Office of Attorney General into scandal and disrepute to the prejudice of public confidence in the government of this State, as shown by the acts described in one or more articles.&quot;</p>

Guidance for Arkansas Department of Education

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

CAW spending breakdown

<p>Document containing an email detailing Central Arkansas Water spending.</p>

Arkansas conceal carry law

<p>Current Arkansas law &sect;5-73-301 - &nbsp;&sect;5-73-327 governing the licensure of conceal and carry permits, including rules governing the use of a conceal and carry permit.</p>

Guidance for Arkansas Department of Education

<p>In response to questions from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette about guidelines for teachers to use to avoid violating state law on indoctrination, Mundell provided a link to a document titled &ldquo;Guidance for Arkansas Department of Education&rdquo; that includes a section titled &ldquo;Guidance in determining if items violate&rdquo; Sanders&rsquo; Jan. 10 executive order prohibiting &ldquo;indoctrination&rdquo; and the teaching of critical race theory in schools. &ldquo;Does the content perpetuate &lsquo;stereotyping&rsquo; by ascribing character traits, values, moral and ethical codes, privileges, status, or beliefs to an individual or group of people based on color, creed, race, ethnicity, sex, age, marital status, familial status, disability status, religion, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law?&rdquo; the guidance asks. The guidance also asks if the content perpetuates &ldquo;&lsquo;scapegoating&rsquo; by assigning fault, blame, or bias to an individual or group of people&rdquo; based on characteristics, such as race or national origin, protected by federal or state law. The guidance also asks whether the content promotes divisive concepts based on such characteristics, such as teaching that a &ldquo;group of people or individuals, by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously.&rdquo;</p>

AP African American studies year 2 pilot guide

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Oliva's letter to superintendents

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Olivia letter to superintendents 082123

<p>Department of Education Secretary Jacob Olivia letter to participating superintendents concerning AA studies.</p>

Saline County ordinance

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

EStem letter

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HUD letter 81623

<p>16 August 2023 HUD letter to the Little Rock board of commissions</p>

Estem AA studies letter

<p>Letter to parents from estem public charter school concerning the AP African American studies course.&nbsp;</p>

Little Rock sales tax project list

<p>A Sales Tax Project List for the city of Little Rock released Tuesday, August 15, 2023, shows a Capital vs. Operating Snapshot of Proposed Projects for the First 10 years of a proposed city sales tax. Projects include West Little Rock Fire Station Operations Ongoing, Public Safety - Community Oriented Policing and Mental Health Response, West Central Complex / Outdoor Pool, Senior Center and Pickleball, Rebsamen Soccer and Tennis, 15-Acre Park, 1st Tee Golf Expansion, AMFA Ongoing and the Little Rock Zoo Master Plan.</p><p><br></p>

Fed minutes july 25-26

<p style='margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Lucida Grande", Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 244, 212); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>Most Federal Reserve officials last month still regarded high inflation as an ongoing threat that could require further interest rate increases, according to the minutes of their July 25-26 meeting released Wednesday.</p><p style='margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: "Lucida Grande", Tahoma, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 244, 212); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;'>At the same time, the officials saw &ldquo;a number of tentative signs that inflation pressures could be abating.&rdquo; It was a mixed view that echoed Chair Jerome Powell&rsquo;s noncommittal stance about future rate increases at a news conference after the meeting.</p>

Letter calls to slow down Little Rock sales tax vote

<p>Kathy Wells, president of the Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods, writes in a letter dated Wednesday, August 16, 2023, to Mayor Frank Scott and city directors: &quot;Please slow down this rush for a sales tax vote. Members of the Coalition of Little Rock Neighborhoods discussed the proposal and the list at our Aug. 12 meeting and we found too many details were lacking. More time is needed to address issues. A major one is a sunset clause that leaves ongoing operations lacking proper funding. The city must provide for that. Let&rsquo;s consider what&rsquo;s on the list and what&rsquo;s missing. We have a lack of housing made worse by the Mar. 31st tornado. How about a housing trust to provide the housing units we need? Consider shifting the parks $249 million to housing; that&rsquo;s 2,490 homes at $100,000 each, as a start for a discussion. Instead of an indoor sports complex costing $128 million that would only be used a handful of days &ndash; 85 days a year, according to the city consultant &ndash; plus, always running a deficit, let&rsquo;s talk about a joint user agreement with the public schools. Look at the Seattle practices of the years. The city pays half a million dollars annually for its use of school facilities. School millage pays for facilities &ndash; a progressive tax. Both agree on scheduled usage of fields and stadiums.&quot; It concludes, &quot;Let&rsquo;s get public safety plans focused on people not technology &ndash; like social workers on all shifts, in all precincts, with resources for referring those troubled residents they encounter. More diversions in circuit court are needed. End the boom-bust cycle of funding police, fire and emergency vehicles. Good government calls for a steady ongoing oversight operating city vehicles. Leave the port off this list; we have people to take care of.&quot;</p>

Trump's Georgia Indictment 8/14/23

<p>Fulton County Superior Court INDICTMENT &pound;375 Mozzfee **F|LED** CA Date: August 14, 2023 Che Alexander, Clerk of Court Clerk No.wq&eacute;/7 FULTON SUPERIOR COURT </p>

April 2022 GOP special counsel letter

<p>In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland dated April 8, 2022 and signed by Republican lawmakers including Rick Crawford, R-Arkansas, the Republicans write: &quot;The United States Attorney&rsquo;s Office for the District of Delaware is currently investigating a number of Hunter Biden&rsquo;s activities, including his potential involvement with foreign businesses, avoiding proper disclosures of foreign business interests to the United States government, and outstanding tax liabilities. It is increasingly clear that Hunter Biden took advantage of his father&rsquo;s position as Vice President to develop business relationships with clients in Ukraine, China, and Kazakhstan. Additionally, it is clear from emails secured from Hunter Biden&rsquo;s laptop that he used a cash gift from a Ukrainian Natural Gas company, Burisma, of which he was a board member, to pay off personal tax liabilities. Finally, Hunter Biden likely facilitated lobbying for foreign entities through third-party channels without registering for the Foreign Agents Registration Act. It appears that Hunter Biden used his position as son of then-Vice President Biden to gain wealth and influence in foreign countries, using questionably sourced money to pay tax liabilities, and lobbying on behalf of foreign entities without proceeding through the proper channels. We are concerned that in the case of Hunter Biden the Department has an actual conflict of interest and certainly has the appearance of a conflict of interest that could prevent a fair and impartial investigation of his activities. You were nominated to your position by Hunter Biden&rsquo;s father and ultimately work for him.&quot; The letter argues that President Donald Trump and his administration were investigated for less serious accusations, and adds, &quot;We believe that in the case of Hunter Biden a Special Counsel must be appointed to preserve the integrity of this investigation and any subsequent prosecution. A Special Counsel would also ensure there is no bias in the investigation or undue influence from the White House. As Attorney General, you are responsible for pursuing impartial justice regardless of political considerations. Trust in government institutions has eroded in recent years. You have the ability in this situation to help restore some of that trust for the American people. Under the extraordinary circumstances established by Hunter Biden and President Biden&rsquo;s relationships, we ask that you appoint a Special Counsel to oversee this critical investigation.&quot; Other signatories of the letter include Jim Banks, Mo Brooks, Madison Cawthorn, Ronny Jackson, Paul Gosar, Dan Crenshaw and Clay Higgins.</p>

September 2022 GOP special counsel letter

<p>In a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland signed by dozens of Senate Republicans, including Arkansas&#39; Tom Cotton, the Republicans write: &quot;We the undersigned write to request that United States Attorney David C. Weiss be extended special counsel protections and authorities to conduct the Hunter Biden investigation. During your confirmation hearing, you promised to keep politics out of the Department of Justice (&quot;DOJ&quot;). This promise has not been kept. On October 4, 2021, you unleashed DOJ&#39;s National Security Division and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (&quot;FBI&quot;), among other criminal components, on millions of concerned parents across the country, who were exercising their First Amendment rights to be involved in decisions about their children&#39;s education, including mask mandates, school closures, and the inclusion of critical race theory in school curricula. We have received hundreds of pieces of correspondence detailing how your memorandum chilled constitutionally protected speech. To date, you have failed to rescind this memorandum despite the fact that it was primarily based on a false predicate: the now disavowed National School Board Association Letter.&quot; The letter adds, &quot;As you know, the United States Attorney&#39;s Office for the District of Delaware -- led by U.S. Attorney Weiss -- has been investigating Hunter Biden. There is now way of knowing the entire scope of the investigation, but evidence seems to be mounting that Hunter Biden committed numerous federal crimes, including, but not limited to, tax fraud, money laundering, and foreign lobbying violations. ... It is clear that Hunter Biden thrived off of a &#39;pay to play&#39; culture of access to his father, then Vice President Joe Biden in exchange for financial compensation.&quot; It concludes, &quot;Given the politicization of the DOJ under your watch and the importance of avoiding any appearance of impropriety, the undersigned request that you provide U.S. Attorney Weiss the full protections and authorities of a special counsel,&quot; and other signatories include Mitch McConnell, John Cornyn, Charles &quot;Chuck&quot; Grassley, Lindsey Graham, Marco Rubio, Josh Hawley, Ted Cruz and Marsha Blackburn.</p>

Central Arkansas Water opposes quartz mine

<p>Central Arkansas Water Board of Commissioners members at a meeting on Thursday, August 10, 2023 called on the U.S. Forest Service to deny a permit to a proposed quartz mine at Lake Winona. The objection, put forth in a resolution approved in a voice vote, states that the mine could create an &ldquo;unjust burden on water ratepayers.&rdquo; The resolution also asks the Forest Service to &ldquo;formally and permanently withdraw all land within one-half mile of the Lake Winona high-water mark from future mining exploration and reserve these lands for conservation purposes.&rdquo; The resolution states, in part, &quot;Whereas, the mine operator has expressed interest in mining during the winter months and the United States Forest Service has placed a restriction in the proposed permit for tree cutting activities to only occur from November 1 to February 28 to mitigate for Northern Long-Ear Bat and Indianna Bat migration disturbance; and whereas, soil disturbance from logging and mining during these months increases the disturbance potential to Lake Winona. These months see increased rains and a loss of vegetative cover meaning sediment runoff potential increases. This increased sediment into the lake will lower the lake&rsquo;s water quality during this time; and whereas, the mine operator has expressed interest to add an additional road to the tract&quot; -- a source of sedimentation, it argues -- &quot;and whereas, changes in operations caused by excess sediment would create increased costs to pump and treat water from an alternate source and/or undue costs to purchase water from another system.&quot;</p>

Jack Smith searches Twitter in Trump case

<p>Special counsel Jack Smith&#39;s team obtained a search warrant in January 2023 for records related to former President Donald Trump&#39;s Twitter account, and a judge levied a $350,000 fine on the company for missing the deadline to comply, according to court documents released Wednesday, August 9, 2023. The new details were included in a ruling from the federal appeals court in Washington over a legal battle surrounding the warrant that has played out under seal for months. The court rejected Twitter&#39;s claim that it should not have been held in contempt or sanctioned. Trump, a Republican, has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States and obstruction of Congress&#39; certification of Biden&#39;s win. He posted on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday that the Justice Department &quot;secretly attacked&quot; his Twitter account, and he characterized the investigation as an attempt to &quot;infringe&quot; on his bid to reclaim the White House in 2024. It&#39;s unclear what information Smith may have sought from Trump&#39;s account. Possibilities include data about when and where the posts were written, their engagement and the identities of other accounts that reposted Trump&#39;s content. The redacted ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals ends with, &quot;In sum, we affirm the district court&#39;s rulings in all respects. The district court properly rejected Twitter&#39; s First Amendment challenge to the nondisclosure order. Moreover, the district court acted within the bounds of its discretion to manage its docket when it declined to stay its enforcement of the warrant while the First Amendment claim was litigated. Finally, the district court followed the appropriate procedures before finding Twitter in contempt of court - including giving Twitter an opportunity to be heard and a chance to purge its contempt to avoid sanctions. Under the circumstances, the court did not abuse its discretion when it ultimately held Twitter in contempt and imposed a $350,000 sanction.&quot;</p>

Friday Eldredge Clark letter Central Arkansas Water

<p>Central Arkansas Water engaged the law firm Friday, Eldredge &amp; Clark for an investigation of an unknown employee, records show in a story published Monday, August 7, 2023. The firm&rsquo;s report appears to have been discussed at a lengthy and uncommon special-called meeting of the water utility&rsquo;s board of commissioners in June, but it&rsquo;s unclear if action was taken as a result of the findings. In response to questions from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Tad Bohannon, Central Arkansas Water&rsquo;s chief executive officer, declined to provide details of what occurred. &ldquo;Your questions involve a personnel matter and, therefore, CAW [Central Arkansas Water] has no comment at this time,&rdquo; Bohannon wrote in an email. The utility&rsquo;s general counsel declined to provide a copy of the report. In response to an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act request for reports, memoranda or investigations prepared by the firm for Central Arkansas Water in 2022 or 2023, General Counsel David Johnson wrote in an email, &ldquo;I&rsquo;m aware of one report that the Friday Firm completed for CAW during the time frame that you mention. It is a performance evaluation report not subject to production under FOIA.&rdquo;</p>

Endangered Species Act of 1973

<p>SEC. 2. (a) FINDINGS.&mdash;The Congress finds and declares that&mdash; (1) various species of fish, wildlife, and plants in the United States have been rendered extinct as a consequence of economic growth and development untempered by adequate concern and conservation; (2) other species of fish, wildlife, and plants have been so depleted in numbers that they are in danger of or threatened with extinction; (3) these species of fish, wildlife, and plants are of esthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational, and scientific value to the Nation and its people; (4) the United States has pledged itself as a sovereign state in the international community to conserve to the extent practicable the various species of fish or wildlife and plants facing extinction, pursuant to&mdash; (A) migratory bird treaties with Canada and Mexico; </p>

Request for Reconsideration Of Library Material Form

<p>If you wish to recommend the re-evaluation of material in the library&rsquo;s collection, please fill out this form in its entirety. Use one form per item. </p>

Trump indictment in Capitol riot

<p><span style='color: rgb(56, 56, 56); font-family: "AP Serif"; font-size: 20px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>Former President Donald Trump has been indicted on four felony charges in connection with efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the run-up to the violent riot by his supporters at the U.S. Capitol.</span></p>

Trump's Jan. 6 Indictment

<p>1. The Defendant, DONALD J. TRUMP, was the forty-fifth President of the United States and a candidate for re-election in 2020. The Defendant lost the 2020 presidential election. 2. Despite having lost, the Defendant was determined to remain in power. So for more than two months following election day on November 3, 2020, the Defendant spread lies that there had been outcome-determinative fraud in the election and that he had actually won. These claims were false, and the Defendant knew that they were false. But the Defendant repeated and widely Case 1:23-cr-00257-TSC Document 1 Filed 08/01/23 Page 1 of 45 disseminated them anyway&mdash;to make his knowingly false claims appear legitimate, create an intense national atmosphere of mistrust and anger, and erode public faith in the administration of the election. </p>

Judge blocks Arkansas on library law

<p>A federal judge in Fayetteville on Saturday, July 29, 2023 temporarily blocked enforcement of two provisions of Act 372, a new state law on library materials, days before the law was scheduled to take effect on Tuesday. Citing the potential for the curtailing of the plaintiffs&rsquo; First Amendment rights in the absence of a preliminary injunction, the decision puts the contested parts of the law on hold pending a final ruling on their constitutionality. In a 49-page order, U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas signaled a willingness to side with the plaintiffs on the constitutional issues. The judge wrote that &ldquo;the passage of Act 372 prompts a few simple, yet unanswered questions. For example: What has happened in Arkansas to cause its communities to lose faith and confidence in their local librarians? What is it that prompted the General Assembly&rsquo;s newfound suspicion? And why has the State found it necessary to target librarians for criminal prosecution?&rdquo;</p>

Private, parochial schools seek state vouchers

<p>More than 80 of Arkansas&rsquo; private and parochial schools have applied to date to participate in the state&rsquo;s new Educational Freedom Accounts program, enabling eligible students to use taxpayer money to meet at least part of their tuition and other school costs in the 2023-24 school year, according to a story printed Sunday, July 30, 2023. Some of the private schools that have applied to the state and are approved to be able to accept the publicly funded vouchers &mdash; about $6,672 per student this new school year &mdash; are Ozark Catholic Academy in Tontitown, Victory Christian School in Camden, Maranatha Baptist Christian School in El Dorado, The Academy of TLC in Jonesboro, Christ Academy in Newport, Prism North America headquartered in Fayetteville and Shiloh Christian Schools in Springdale and Rogers. Others on the long list of approved schools include Little Rock&rsquo;s Pulaski Academy, Episcopal Collegiate School, Little Rock Christian Academy, Little Rock Catholic High, Mount St. Mary Academy and Baptist Preparatory Academy.</p>

Japan 2023 defense paper

<p>The Japanese government stepped up its alarm over Chinese assertiveness, warning in a report issued Friday, July 28, 2023 that the country faces its worst security threats since World War II as it plans to implement a new strategy that calls for a major military buildup. The 2023 defense white paper, approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida&rsquo;s Cabinet, is the first since the government adopted a new National Security Strategy in December, seen as a break from Japan&rsquo;s postwar policy limiting the use of force to self-defense. China, Russia and North Korea contribute to &ldquo;the most severe and complex security environment since the end of World War II,&rdquo; according to the 510-page report. It states China&rsquo;s external stance and military activities have become a &ldquo;serious concern for Japan and the international community and present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge.&rdquo;</p>

Trump superseding indictment

<p>Former President Donald Trump faced new charges Thursday, July 27, 2023 in a case accusing him of illegally possessing classified documents, with prosecutors alleging that he asked a staffer to delete camera footage at his Florida estate in an effort to obstruct a federal investigation into the records. The indictment includes new counts of obstruction and willful retention of national defense information, adding fresh detail to an indictment issued last month against Trump and a close aide. The additional charges came as a surprise at a time of escalating anticipation of a possible additional indictment in Washington over his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. The updated allegations make clear the vast -- and unknown -- scope of legal exposure faced by Trump as he seeks to reclaim the White House in 2024 while fending off criminal cases in multiple cities. The new allegations from special counsel Jack Smith center on surveillance footage at Trump&#39;s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, evidence that has long been vital to the case. Trump is alleged to have asked to have the footage deleted after FBI and Justice Department investigators visited in June 2022 to collect classified documents he took with him after leaving the White House. The new indictment also charges him with i llegally holding onto a document he&#39;s alleged to have shown off to visitors in New Jersey. Prosecutors accuse Trump of scheming with his valet, Walt Nauta, and a Mar-a-Lago property manager, Carlos De Oliveira, to conceal the footage from federal investigators after they issued a subpoena for it. Video from the property would ultimately play a significant role in the investigation because, prosecutors said, it captured Nauta moving boxes of documents in and out of a storage room -- including one such incident a day before a Justice Department visit to the property. According to the indictment, Nauta met with De Oliveira on June 25, 2022, at Mar-a-Lago, where they went to a security guard booth where surveillance video was displayed on monitors and walked with a flashlight through a tunnel where the storage room was located, observing and pointing out surveillance cameras. Two days later, according to the indictment, De Oliveira walked with an unidentified Trump employee to an audio room, where De Oliveira asked how many days the server retained footage. De Oliveira, prosecutors said, told the other employee &quot;that &#39;the boss&#39; wanted the server deleted&quot; and asked, &quot;What are we going to do?&quot; During a voluntary interview with the FBI last January, prosecutors say, De Oliveira lied when he said he &quot;never saw nothing&quot; with regard to boxes at Mar-a-Lago. De Oliveira was added to the indictment, charged with obstruction and false statements related to an interview he gave the FBI earlier this year. His lawyer declined to comment Thursday evening.</p>

Little Rock sales-tax proposal July 2023

<p>Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. on Thursday, July 27, 2023 publicly outlined his sales-tax proposal for the first time during a &ldquo;working session&rdquo; on the subject with members of the city&rsquo;s Board of Directors. As presented, Scott&rsquo;s proposal would add 1 percentage point to the city&rsquo;s sales-tax rate for 10 years. However, at the conclusion of the session, Scott indicated the proposal likely will be revised to remove the sunset date based on city directors&rsquo; feedback during the meeting. Scott&rsquo;s proposal contemplates spending $600 million over a 10-year period, with $371.5 million allocated for capital improvements and $228.5 million for new operating expenses.</p>

Arkansas Act 883 (Senate Bill 543) of 2023

<p>Act 883 of the Arkansas 2023 Regular Session, which started as Senate Bill 543 by Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, and Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, is entitled &quot;An Act To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning School District Boards Of Directors; Amending A Portion Of Law Resulting From Initiated Act 1 Of 1990; And For Other Purposes,&quot; and subtitled &quot;To Amend Arkansas Law Concerning School District Boards Of Directors And Amending A Portion Of Law Resulting From Initiated Act 1 Of 1990.&quot; However, section 3 of the law will broaden the situations in which school board members can meet in private discussions known as executive sessions: &quot;In addition to the circumstances in which an executive session is permitted under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, the board of directors may meet in executive session for the purposes of: (A) Pre-litigation discussions; (B) Litigation updates; (C) The discussion and consideration of settlement offers; (D) The discussion and consideration of contract disputes with the superintendent of the school district; and (E) Discussions pertaining to real property.&quot;</p>

Grassley declassified Hunter Biden document

<p>U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, released an unclassified document Thursday, July 20, 2023, that Republicans claim is significant in their investigation of Hunter Biden as they delve into the financial affairs of the president and his son and revive previously debunked claims of wrongdoing. Grassley has been working alongside House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., as Republicans deepen their probe of President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, ahead of the 2024 election. Comer had issued a subpoena for the document from the FBI. While lawmakers on the Oversight Committee have already been able to partly review the information, this is the first time the full document &mdash; which contains raw, unverified information &mdash; is being made public. Called an FD-1023 form, it involves claims a confidential informant made in 2020 about Hunter Biden&rsquo;s alleged business dealings when he served on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Top Republicans have acknowledged that they cannot confirm whether the information is true. U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the Oversight panel, said the document released by Republicans &ldquo;records the unverified, secondhand, years-old allegations&rdquo; that were already shown to be not true during the 2019 impeachment hearings. Grassley said while the FBI had released a redacted version to lawmakers, he was able to provide a fuller document because whistleblowers made it available to him.</p>

Little Rock pay raises ordinance 7/19/23

<p>AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND LITTLE ROCK, ARK., REV. CODE &sect; 2-116 4 (2) (1988) TO INCREASE THE SALARIES OF MEMBERS OF THE 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO TWENTY-EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS 6 ($28,000.00) PER YEAR; TO MAKE OTHER CORRECTIONS TO THE 7 CODE PROVISION; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. </p>

Arkansas Supreme Court Office of Ethics Counsel

<p>In an opinion/order dated July 14, 2023, the Arkansas Supreme Court wrote that its &quot;separate Bar of Arkansas financial account is funded solely by annual law license fees paid by Arkansas attorneys. These funds are used solely to support various court programs, including the Office of Ethics Counsel (OEC). Budgetary constraints within the Bar of Arkansas account have necessitated decisions regarding court programs. Consequently, effective August 1, 2023, the OEC will no longer be funded. The office will be closed on that date, and the court will no longer employ an Ethics Counsel. The archived files of the OEC will be maintained by the clerk of this court as confidential under OEC Rule 11.B, and the files will be destroyed as provided therein or under other orders that may be issued by the court. The OEC website on the Arkansas Judiciary website will be deactivated at the time the office is closed. The court expresses its appreciation to Ethics Counsel Stark Ligon.&quot;</p>

Veterans Affairs, Westerman letters on Pride flag

<p>A letter to U.S. Rep. Steve Westerman, an Arkansas Republican, from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs on July 3, 2023, is sent in response to a June letter asking for clarification on Pride flags at VA facilities. The first letter, it states, &quot;has been referred to the appropriate office within the Department for review,&quot; and an official response is pledged. In response, Westerman writes, &quot;Thank you for your poorly written, meaningless interim response,&quot; and adds, &quot;Please be assured that my communications to the Appropriations Committee and my colleagues in the House will be much more organized and better articulated when I lobby them to cut funding to your political staff and others who are advocating and implementing these political issues in what should be an apolitical agency.&quot;</p>

House GOP letter on Pride flags

<p>In a letter to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs dated June 6, 2023 and signed by House Republicans, including all four of Arkansas&#39; congressmen, lawmakers write: &quot;It has come to our attention that in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation entitled, &ldquo;A Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month, 2023,&rdquo; signed by President Biden on May 31, 2023, that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities have been authorized to display Pride flags during the month of June. While we join many in questioning whether the display of these flags at VA facilities is an appropriate use of taxpayer funding, we write to you today to express our concern about the way in which the flag is being displayed, and how the display of this flag impacts other symbols of our nation and the commitment we have made to our veterans. Specifically, we are concerned that Pride flags are being flown and displayed at the expense of other traditional flags at VA facilities, such as the American flag, whose Stars and Stripes represent all Americans.&quot; The letter further states, &quot;Veterans who have served our country deserve to enter a facility that is free from discrimination and political posturing. These men and women were apolitical when they served our country, and we should strive to provide them with an apolitical VA when they seek the care, benefits, and services that they have earned. By close of business on June 16, 2023, please provide us with an explanation for how VA intends to ensure none of its facilities violate its own policy which does not allow flags promoting politics, or any particular viewpoint or ideology. Please also provide your assurances, in writing, that any Pride flag that has replaced an aforementioned traditional flag has been removed and the traditional flag has been placed in its proper position.&quot;</p>

Kansas transgender licenses lawsuit

<p>The Republican attorney general of Kansas sued Friday, July 7, 2023 to force the state to be among a few that prohibit transgender people from changing their sex on their driver&rsquo;s licenses and to repudiate the Democratic governor, who continues to allow such changes despite a new anti-trans law. Attorney General Kris Kobach filed his lawsuit in state court, seeking an order to stop Gov. Laura Kelly, and agencies under her control, from letting transgender people change their licenses. Kobach contends a law that took effect last week prevents such changes and requires the state to reverse any previous changes in its records. Kobach&#39;s lawsuit states in part, &quot;The Governor cannot pick and choose which laws she will enforce and which laws she will ignore. Yet that is what she has done with respect to SB 180, which established our state&rsquo;s Women&rsquo;s Bill of Rights. The Legislature decisively passed, and overrode the Governor&rsquo;s veto of, the Women&rsquo;s Bill of Rights. That law expressly requires that documents such as driver&rsquo;s licenses reflect biological sex, i.e., sex at birth, and not a person&rsquo;s chosen &#39;gender identity.&#39; But the Governor announced she will not comply with the Women&rsquo;s Bill of Rights and has instructed her subordinate agencies, including the Department of Revenue&rsquo;s Division of Vehicles, to disregard it. In the words of John Adams, we have &#39;a government of laws, and not of men.&#39; The Legislature makes the law, and the executive branch&mdash;including the Governor and her subordinates&mdash;must execute it, whether they like the law or not. She does not possess the power that English monarchs claimed prior to the &#39;Glorious Revolution&#39; of 1688, namely, the power to suspend the operation of statutes.&quot;</p>

9th Circuit ruling, dissents on homeless

<p>Some of the most powerful conservative judges in the United States took collective aim Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at the idea that homeless people with nowhere else to go have a right to sleep in public, excoriating their liberal colleagues for ruling as much. Their scathing comments came in a set of responses to a decision Wednesday by the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals not to rehear a case in which a smaller three-judge panel affirmed such rights in September. In their responses, the court&rsquo;s conservative wing painted a dystopian portrait of an American West deprived of its public spaces and under siege by an overwhelming epidemic of homelessness. Judge Milan Smith Jr., one of the court&rsquo;s older conservative judges who was appointed by President George W. Bush, wrote in one dissent that homelessness is &ldquo;presently the defining public health and safety crisis in the western United States,&rdquo; adding, &quot;In the City of Los Angeles alone, there are roughly 70,000 homeless persons. There are stretches of the city where one cannot help but think the government has shirked its most basic responsibilities under the social contract: providing public safety and ensuring that public spaces remain open to all. One-time public spaces like parks&mdash;many of which provide scarce outdoor space in dense, working-class neighborhoods&mdash;are filled with thousands of tents and makeshift structures, and are no longer welcoming to the broader community. It is a status quo that fails both those in the homeless encampments and those near them. The homeless disproportionately risk being the victims of violence, sexual assault, and drug-related death,4 and encampments&rsquo; unsanitary conditions have caused resurgences of plagues such as typhus, tuberculosis, and hepatitis-A. For those who live, work, and attend school near these encampments, they have become a source of fear and frustration.&quot;</p>

Iowa governor calls for abortion special session

<p>Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 called a special legislative session to pursue new abortion restrictions after the state Supreme Court declined to reinstate a 2018 ban after about six weeks of pregnancy. The court was split 3-3 in June and did not issue a decision on the merits of the law, leaving open the possibility that the GOP-controlled Legislature would try to pass a similar ban. In the meantime, abortion remains legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. Lawmakers will meet on July 11, 2023. &ldquo;Iowans deserve to have their legislative body address the issue of abortion expeditiously and all unborn children deserve to have their lives protected by the government as the fetal heartbeat law did,&rdquo; Reynolds wrote in the order.</p>

Federal Reserve June 2023 minutes

<p>Some Federal Reserve officials pushed to raise the Fed&rsquo;s key interest rate by one-quarter of a percentage point at their June 2023 meeting to intensify their fight against high inflation, though the central bank ultimately decided to forgo a rate hike. In a sign of growing division among the policymakers, some officials favored a quarter-point increase or said they &ldquo;could have supported such a proposal,&rdquo; according to the minutes of the June 13-14 meeting released Wednesday. In the end, the 11 voting members of the Fed&rsquo;s interest-rate setting committee agreed unanimously to skip an increase after 10 straight. But they signaled that they might raise rates twice more this year, beginning as soon as this month. In Fed parlance, &ldquo;some&rdquo; is less than &ldquo;most&rdquo; or &ldquo;many,&rdquo; evidence that the support for another rate increase was a minority view. And some who held that view were likely unable to vote at the meeting; the 18 members of the Fed&rsquo;s policymaking committee vote on a rotating basis.</p>

Saline County attorney resignation letter

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

LEARNS notice of appeal

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Copy of LEARNS notice of appeal</span></p>

California reparations executive summary

<p>It was a report two years in the making &mdash; one that details how California, a state that never officially sanctioned slavery, can confront decades of policies that have kept Black residents from living in the neighborhoods they choose, being treated fairly at doctor&rsquo;s visits and building generational wealth. California&rsquo;s reparations task force completed its work Thursday, June 29, 2023 and turned more than 100 recommendations over to the Legislature, the first work of its kind in the United States. The nearly 1,100-page document recommends the state formally apologize and suggests how to calculate monetary reparations. The executive summary, which runs 74 pages including citations, is an overview of the research and conclusions.</p>

Bryan Sanders Arkansas parks advertising

<p>Arkansas officials in an email exchange earlier this year expressed differing views over first gentleman Bryan Sanders&rsquo; interest in managing an advertising account for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. Mike Mills, former secretary of the department, said in a March 24 email that Bryan Sanders &ldquo;wants to take over&rdquo; the department&rsquo;s account with CJRW, a Little Rock-based advertising agency. In response, Jordan Powell, director of public affairs for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, said in a March 27, 2023 email that Bryan Sanders &ldquo;certainly has no interest in a &lsquo;takeover&rsquo; of any ad account.&rdquo;</p>

Ruling delays LEARNS Act until August 2023

<p>A Pulaski County circuit judge blocked the state on <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Friday, June 30, 2023,&nbsp;</span>from enforcing the LEARNS Act. The ruling from Pulaski County Circuit Judge Herbert Wright means the LEARNS Act won&rsquo;t take effect until August 1, delaying implementation of most of the law which had been in place since early March. The lawsuit, filed May 8, aims to delay when the LEARNS Act &mdash; Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders&rsquo; plan to overhaul public education &mdash; can take effect. The plaintiffs, a group of Phillips County residents and two public education activists, argue lawmakers didn&rsquo;t follow the Arkansas Constitution when approving the LEARNS Act&rsquo;s emergency clause, a parliamentary move to make a law take effect immediately. At the center of the lawsuit is a dispute over what the word &ldquo;separate&rdquo; means. Article 5, Section 1, of the Arkansas Constitution states the Legislature needs to hold &ldquo;separate roll call&rdquo; votes to approve a bill&rsquo;s emergency clause. Since the Arkansas House of Representatives and Senate held only one vote for the LEARNS Act and its emergency clause, it &ldquo;was not passed in accordance with the Arkansas Constitution,&rdquo; Wright ruled.</p>

Order blocking Arkansas from enforcing LEARNS Act

<p><span style='color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia, times, serif, "lucida grande", tahoma, arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 17px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>A Pulaski County Circuit judge has again blocked the state from enforcing the LEARNS Act in an order Friday, putting the education law into legal limbo.</span></p>

House Oversight letters on Hunter Biden

<p>In letters to Attorney General Merrick Garland and to the head of the Secret Service, House Republicans including Jim Jordan, Jason Smith and James Comer say that they &quot;have identified several Department employees who we believe to possess information concerning allegations of politicization and misconduct with respect to the Department&rsquo;s investigation of Hunter Biden. Specifically, the Committees seek to examine whistleblower claims that the Department&rsquo;s investigation of Hunter Biden was purposely slow-walked and subjected to improper and politically motivated interference.&quot;</p>

Robert Steinbuch's Mismatch and Bar Passage

<p>In &quot;Mismatch and Bar Passage: A School-Specific Analysis,&quot; revised for the Journal of Legal Education in December 2020 by Richard Sander and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette columnist Robert Steinbuch, the thesis stems from a 2005 analysis: &quot;Sander showed that the group of law students who received (on average) the largest preferences, African-Americans, tended to have very low law school grades &ndash; an effect he found was entirely due to preferences &ndash; and were far more likely than other students to fail the bar after multiple attempts &ndash; another &ldquo;preference&rdquo; effect rather than a &ldquo;race&rdquo; effect. Without preferences, African-Americans would have grades comparable to whites and the bar passage gap would substantially narrow. Using simulations, Sander concluded that the number of African-American lawyers would probably increase if preferences were eliminated.&quot; The research, cited by the U.S. Supreme Court in overturning affirmative action, concludes, &quot;The mismatch effect in our models can therefore account for the large disparities in bar passage across racial lines. If our findings can be generalized, they largely account for the very serious disparity between the racial makeup of first-year law students and the practicing bar. No other credible explanation has been advanced to explain the bar passage gap, and the problems are far too serious to ignore. What then, should be done? There are many possible steps: creating good datasets that link law student data to data on bar scores; studying possible ways to reduce mismatch through academic support; perhaps even developing controlled experiments to assess how preferences affect long-term outcomes. The most important initial step to take is for the legal academy to simply acknowledge a serious problem that must be addressed, and undertake inclusive, honest, and data-driven conversations.&quot;</p>

Complaint in social media lawsuit

<p>Arkansas Senate Bill 396 is the latest attempt in a long line of government efforts to restrict new forms of expression based on concerns that they harm minors. ...</p>

Trump counterclaim against E. Jean Carroll

<p>Former President Donald Trump, who has been found liable for sexually abusing and defaming writer E. Jean Carroll, has countersued, accusing her of defaming him by repeating her contention that he had raped her. In a countersuit filed Tuesday, June 27, 2023, lawyers for Trump write that Carroll&#39;s statements, including one to a Trump attorney that Trump &quot;did it and you know it,&quot; were false or were said &quot;with reckless disregard for their truth or falsity.&quot; The jury in the earlier case did not convict Trump of rape, but did find him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, so the countersuit says that Carroll made statements against Trump &quot;with actual malice and ill will with an intent to significantly and spitefully harm and attack Counterclaimant&rsquo;s reputation, as these false statements were clearly contrary to the jury verdict in Carroll II whereby Counterclaimant was found not liable for rape by the jury.&quot; The suit says that Carroll&#39;s &quot;repeated falsehoods and defamatory statements&quot; against Trump have caused him to be &quot;the subject of significant harm to his reputation, which, in turn, has yielded an inordinate amount of damages sustained as a result.&quot;</p>

UA trustees resolution to support Donald Bobbitt

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">UA trustees resolution to support Donald Bobbitt.</span></p>

Email from JoAnn Maxey to UA board

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">&nbsp;Email from JoAnn Maxey to UA board</span></p>

National Intelligence report on Wuhan, covid-19

<p>A report declassified in June 2023 states in part, &quot;This report responds to the COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023, which called for the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) to declassify information relating to potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report outlines the IC&rsquo;s understanding of the WIV, its capabilities, and the actions of its personnel leading up to and in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. This report does not address the merits of the two most likely pandemic origins hypotheses, nor does it explore other biological facilities in Wuhan other than the WIV. A classified annex to this report includes information that was necessary to exclude from the unclassified portion of this report in order to protect sources and methods, but the information contained in the annex is consistent with the unclassified assessments contained in this report. This report was drafted by the National Intelligence Officer for Weapons of Mass Destruction and Proliferation and coordinated with the IC.&quot;</p>

House GOP proposes expunging Trump impeachments

<p>Separate June 2023 resolutions call to expunge President Donald Trump&#39;s two impeachments from the record. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene focuses on the December 18, 2019 impeachment involving Ukraine, arguing that &quot;President Trump was wrongfully accused of misconduct in House Resolution 755, &#39;Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors,&#39; as demonstrated by the information revealed in an unclassified FD-1023 FBI document&quot; and that her resolution would make it &quot;as if such Articles had never passed the full House of Representatives, as the facts and circumstances upon which such Articles were based did not meet the burden of proving the commission of &#39;high Crimes and Misdemeanors&#39;, as set forth in section 4 of article II of the Constitution.&quot; U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik&#39;s resolution focuses on the January 13, 2021 impeachment, arguing that the resolution &quot;contains a subjective account of that which transpired at the Capitol on January 6, 2021&quot; and &quot;omits any discussion of the circumstances, unusual voting patterns, and voting anomalies of the 2020 Presidential election itself.&quot; Stefanik&#39;s resolution also takes Democrats to task for making &quot;no effort to understand the rationale behind the widespread mistrust harbored by American voters in the wake of the 2020 Presidential election,&quot; and criticizes &quot;the mainstream media&quot; and &quot;Governors and Secretaries of State in key swing States like Arizona, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia.&quot; It also repeats some of Trump&#39;s observations about the vote, stating in part: &quot;Whereas President Trump won 18 of the 19 bellwether counties across the country that have predicted the winner of every Presidential election since 1980; Whereas President Trump received approximately 10,100,000 more votes than in the 2016 Presidential election, making President Trump the first incumbent President in 132 years, since Grover Cleveland&rsquo;s failed bid for reelection in 1888, to have increased his vote from his initial election and seemingly still not won reelection in the subsequent cycle ...&quot; In addition, Stefanik argues, &quot;the consideration of the Resolution by the House of Representatives failed to follow any meaningful legislative process whatsoever.&quot;</p>

Lauren Boebert's resolution to impeach Biden

<p>Representative Lauren Boebert&#39;s June 2023 measure to impeach Biden states, in part, that the president &quot;has knowingly presided over an executive branch that has continuously, overtly, and consistently violated Federal immigration law by pursuing an aggressive, open-borders agenda&quot;. In addition, Boebert argues, &quot;President Biden has intentionally facilitated a complete and total invasion at the southern border,&quot; pursuing an &quot;open-border agenda ... to the detriment of the American people.&quot; Drugs are also cited: &quot;On Joe Biden&rsquo;s watch, illicit fentanyl has killed more than 100,000 American citizens. In fiscal year 2023, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol 24 seized more than 9,000 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border.&quot;</p><p><br></p>

Emails between UA System trustees and president

<p>Email from Sheffield Nelson to his fellow University of Arkansas System Board of trustees members and UA System President Donald Bobbitt&#39;s response to the UA System board.</p><p>The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has removed names and email addresses of other recipients in this file.</p>

LR short-term rental ordinance

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Little Rock&#39;s short-term rental ordinance.</span></p>

Mike Mills email to Teddy Stewart

<p>Mike Mills email to Teddy Stewart.</p>

Mike Mills email to Shea Lewis

<p>Mike Mills email to Shea Lewis.</p>

Saline County Quorum Court agenda June 19, 2023

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Justice Department report on Minneapolis Police

<p>The Justice Department on Friday, June 16, 2023 issued a withering critique of Minneapolis police, alleging that they systematically discriminated against racial minorities, often violated constitutional rights and disregarded the safety of people in custody for years before George Floyd was killed. The report was the result of a sweeping two-year probe, and it confirmed many of the citizen complaints about police conduct that emerged after Floyd&rsquo;s 2020 death. The investigation found that Minneapolis officers used excessive force, including &ldquo;unjustified deadly force,&rdquo; and violated the rights of people engaged in constitutionally protected speech. The investigation also concluded that both police and the city discriminated against Black and Native American people and those with &ldquo;behavioral health disabilities.&rdquo; &ldquo;We observed many MPD officers who did their difficult work with professionalism, courage and respect,&rdquo; Attorney General Merrick Garland told a news conference in Minneapolis. &ldquo;But the patterns and practices we observed made what happened to George Floyd possible.&rdquo;</p>

Arkansas Supreme Court decision on LEARNS Act restraining order

<p>Arkansas Supreme Court decision on LEARNS Act restraining order</p>

Arkansas Supreme Court LEARNS Act ruling

<p>The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday, June 15, 2023 overturned a lower court ruling, clearing the way for the LEARNS Act to again go into effect as the case remains mired in a legal fight. The 5-2 ruling reverses an order blocking the LEARNS Act from taking effect and reversing the case back to Pulaski County Circuit Court, where both sides await a hearing scheduled for June 20, 2023. The judgment states: &quot;We have repeatedly held that harm is normally considered irreparable only when it cannot be adequately compensated by money damages or redressed in a court of law. ... Appellees&rsquo; claims regarding the expenditure of funds under the transformation contract are clearly monetary in nature and are therefore not considered irreparable. The alleged harm from the nonrenewal of the employment contracts and other adverse effects related to these nonrenewals can also be adequately compensated by money damages or redressed in a court of law. ... In addition, appellees&rsquo; argument that MESD risks being consolidated, dissolved, or divided in retaliation for this lawsuit is entirely speculative and thus does not support a finding of irreparable harm. ... With regard to appellees&rsquo; claim that they were deprived of an opportunity to provide feedback on the transformation contract due to its immediate execution, appellees have cited no authority that gives them this right. Furthermore, the Board&rsquo;s meeting wherein it approved the transformation contract was open to the public. Finally, the CAPES appellees&rsquo; claim that their constitutional right of referendum would be impaired is also without merit, as their ability to collect signatures and otherwise pursue their referendum petition on the LEARNS Act is not affected by the absence of a restraining order. Accordingly, because appellees failed to meet their burden of proving irreparable harm, the circuit court abused its discretion in granting the motion for a TRO. We therefore reverse the circuit court&rsquo;s order, vacate the TRO, and remand to the circuit court. Reversed and remanded; temporary restraining order vacated.&quot;</p>

Memo from Little Rock city attorney

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Memo from Little Rock city attorney.</span></p>

Federal indictment against former President Donald Trump

<p><span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Former President Donald Trump is facing 37 felony charges related to the mishandling of classified documents, according to an indictment unsealed Friday that alleges that he described a Pentagon &ldquo;plan of attack&rdquo; and shared a classified map related to a military operation.</span></p>

Resolution to hold FBI's Wray in contempt

<p>The Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 called off a vote on a contempt of Congress charge against FBI Director Christopher Wray, accepting a last-minute offer by the bureau to allow the full committee access to a confidential document of an unverified tip about President Joe Biden. Rep. James Comer said in a statement that the committee is removing this contempt resolution against Wray from the schedule after receiving an accommodation that would give the full committee access to the document. &ldquo;Allowing all Oversight Committee members to review this record is an important step toward conducting oversight of the FBI and holding it accountable to the American people,&rdquo; the Kentucky Republican said. The action that played out over the last month against Wray reflects a larger breakdown between Republicans and the FBI that has only intensified this year, with some conservatives talking openly about trying to defund the bureau.</p>

AG Tim Griffin's memo certifying ballot language of proposed referendum to repeal the LEARNS Act

<p>Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin&#39;s memo certifying ballot language of proposed referendum to repeal the LEARNS Act</p>

Libraries, booksellers sue to overturn parts of new Arkansas law on library materials

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(253, 252, 250); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">A coalition of 17 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in federal court on Friday that asks a judge to strike down as unconstitutional two sections of Act 372, a new Arkansas law on school and public library materials.</span> </p>

motion to stay LEARNS Act restraining order

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">AG&#39;s Tim Griffin&#39;s motion to stay LEARNS Act.</span></p>

statement on LEARNS stay motion

<p>Jacob Oliva&#39;s statement on LEARNS stay.</p>

Copy of Arkansas Ethics Commission letters

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Arkansas Ethics Commission letters.</span></p>

Order on Arkansas Learns Act

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 10px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Order on Arkansas Learns Act.</span></p>

Judge's ruling on Richard Barnett case

<p>Judge denies motion for new trial for Richard Barnett.</p>

UA 2023-24 Tuition & Fees Proposal

<p>FY 24 Tuition and Fee Requests</p>

NAACP travel advisory for Florida

<p>The NAACP&#39;s travel advisory for Florida, issued in May 2023, reads in part, &quot;Under its current Governor, the State of Florida has engaged in an all-out attack on Black Americans, accurate Black history, voting rights, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, women&rsquo;s reproductive rights, and free speech, while simultaneously embracing a culture of fear, bullying, and intimidation by public officials. In his effort to rewrite American history to exclude the voices, contributions of African Americans and the challenges they overcame despite the systemic racism that African Americans have faced since first arriving in this country, Governor DeSantis has signed various controversial anti-civil rights measures into law; including the Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act Florida HB 1, Stop Wrongs against Our Kids and Employees Act (&ldquo;Stop W.O.K.E. Act&rdquo;) Florida HB 7, Constitutional Carry Act Florida House HB 543, Florida Senate Bill 266, and Florida Senate Bill 7066.&quot; The advisory states, &quot;Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the State of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americans and other minorities. If you decide to travel to Florida: Please be advised that Florida public schools will not teach your children accurate African-American history, which includes a history of enslavement, segregation, racial injustice and systemic racism. Please be advised that the State of Florida does not value diversity, equity, and inclusion in Florida schools, colleges and universities. Please be advised that the State of Florida does not welcome the contributions of African Americans and people of color.&quot;</p><p><br></p>

AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023

<p>A bipartisan, bicameral group of federal legislators is pushing new legislation requiring car manufacturers to keep AM radio in their vehicles. The coalition has introduced the AM for Every Vehicle Act in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. If the proposal becomes law, all vehicle companies would have to install appropriate technology to make all cars capable of receiving AM radio stations without any costs to consumers. The Government Accountability Office would additionally study alternative systems as effective as AM radio broadcasts for making public emergency announcements.</p>

Farmers First Act of 2023

<p>U.S. Sen. John Boozman is supporting the Farmers First Act of 2023, led by U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Joni Ernst, R-Iowa., and co-sponsored by committee chairwoman, U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., and a bipartisan group of senators. The Farmers First Act of 2023 would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), which connects farmers, ranchers and agricultural workers with mental health assistance programs and resources. The legislation would increase available funding for the network to $15 million per fiscal year through 2028.</p>

Multimedia Editor job description

<div title="Page 1"><div style="background-color: rgb(100.000000%, 100.000000%, 100.000000%);"><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette has an opening for a multimedia editor.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Executive Order 23-05 guidelines

<p>Executive Order 23-05 guidelines</p>

Copy of the LEARNS complaint

<p>Copy of the LEARNS complaint</p>

Illinois bill targeting book bans at libraries

<p>An Illinois bill in 2023 states, &quot;Because the state has a financial responsibility in promoting public education, and because the public library is a vital agency serving all levels of the educational process, it is hereby declared to be the policy of the state to encourage the improvement of free public libraries and to encourage cooperation among all types of libraries in promoting the sharing of library resources, including digital resources. In keeping with this policy, provision is hereby made for a program of state grants designed to establish, develop and operate a network of library systems covering the entire state.&quot; The bill also specifies that libraries that ban books will not be eligible for state grants.</p>

Ali Noland threatens suit over Marvell-Elaine

<p>In an email sent Friday, May 5, 2023 with the subject line &quot;Subject: Letter to the State Board of Education and Secretary Oliva,&quot; attorney Ali Noland writes, &quot;Secretary Oliva and members of the Arkansas State Board of Education, Please find attached a letter concerning your planned vote today to approve a transformation contract for the Marvell-Elaine School District at today&#39;s special board meeting. Your proposed action would be illegal because the Arkansas LEARNS Act is not yet effective. The emergency clause purporting to make it immediately operative is invalid. Should you choose to disregard the requirement of the Arkansas Constitution and vote to approve the contract today, my clients will file legal action. Thank you, Ali Noland.&quot;</p>

NTOY '23 completed application

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

2024 ATOY Application Guidelines

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Agreement to run Marvell-Elaine School District

<p>A &quot;District Transformation Agreement&quot; reads: &quot;THIS AGREEMENT (the &ldquo;Agreement&rdquo;) is made effective as of the 5th day of May, 2023 by and between, in the first part, FEF Arkansas, an Arkansas non-profit corporation (the &ldquo;Foundation&rdquo;), and an affiliate of Friendship Education Foundation, a non-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the District of Columbia and, jointly in the second part, the Commissioner, ADE Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (the &ldquo;Commissioner&rdquo;) on behalf of the Marvell-Elaine School District #22 (the &ldquo;District&rdquo;) a public school district and a political subdivision of the State of Arkansas organized and existing under the laws of the state of Arkansas and currently under authority of the State Board of Education.&quot;</p>

LR street and drainage project resolution

<p>LR street and drainage project resolution.&nbsp;</p>

Motion filed by Maggio's attorney

<p>Motion to dismiss filed by Michael Maggio&#39;s attorney, James Hensley Jr.&nbsp;</p>

Arkansas Act 525 on Chinese drones

<p>New legislation prohibits Arkansas law enforcement agencies from purchasing small, unmanned aircrafts, or drones, from a &ldquo;covered foreign entity&rdquo; starting in 2027. According to Act 525 of 2023, a &ldquo;covered foreign entity&rdquo; is defined as an &ldquo;individual, foreign government or a party other than an individual or foreign government on the Consolidated Screening List or entity list as designated by the United States Secretary of Commerce; Domiciled in the People&rsquo;s Republic of China or the Russian Federation; under the influence or control by the government of the People&rsquo;s Republic of China or the Russian Federation.&rdquo; Police departments in Arkansas have four years to phase out their use of foreign drones, which is twice the life of a standard drone, depending on its size, said Rep. Brit McKenzie, R-Rogers. However, if an agency believes the life of their drones can extend beyond four years, they can apply for a waiver through the Secretary of Transportation. The bill is targeting Da-Jiang Innovations, or DJI, known as the world&rsquo;s largest drone manufacturer and headquartered in Shenzhen, China. DJI&rsquo;s drones account for 70% of the global civilian market, and founder Frank Wang is said to be the world&rsquo;s first drone billionaire, with a net worth of $3.6 billion. But DJI is &quot;an extraordinarily bad actor,&rdquo; McKenzie said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a Chinese military company. We can call it 16 things under the sun, [but] that&rsquo;s really what it is.&rdquo;</p>

U.S. Senate social media bill sponsored by Cotton

<p>U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., is part of a bipartisan group of senators advocating for legislation mandating a minimum age and parental consent for joining social media apps. The Protecting Kids on Social Media Act would require platforms to implement age-verification technologies to prevent users younger than 13. Companies would additionally need to require parental approval for potential users who are 13 to 17 years old. Cotton and fellow Republican Katie Britt of Alabama introduced the measure with Democrats Chris Murphy of Connecticut and Brian Schatz of Hawaii. Speaking to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Cotton recognized the pairing is atypical given each senator&rsquo;s ideology.</p>

Arkansas Act 777 of 2023 on concealed carry

<p>Act 777 of 2023, &quot;An Act To Clarify The Purpose Of The Statutes Authorizing A License To Carry A Concealed Handgun; To Clarify That A License To Carry A Concealed Handgun Is Not Required To Carry A Concealed Handgun In This State; And For Other Purposes,&quot; formerly Senate Bill 480, states: &quot;Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 73, Subchapter 3, is amended to add an additional section to read as follows: 5-73-328. Purpose and construction of subchapter. (a) The purpose of this subchapter is solely to establish concealed carry licensing for the purpose of providing licensees reciprocity in other states that require a license to carry a concealed handgun in order to carry a concealed handgun. (b) This subchapter does not require a person to obtain a license to carry a concealed handgun in order to carry a concealed handgun in this state.&quot;</p>

Texas Department of Agriculture dress code

<p>In April 2023, Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller issued a two-page &ldquo;dress code and grooming policy,&rdquo; that dictates how employees who interact with the public and other government officials outside the department should dress. The sentence that has proven controversial is &quot;Employees are expected to comply with this dress code in a manner consistent with their biological gender.&quot; Other rules for the Texas Department of Agriculture include agency uniforms (&quot;allowable and encouraged&quot;), and a whole section on inappropriate dress: &quot;Clothing that is too tight or revealing; clothing with rips, tears or frays; or any extreme style or fashion; pajamas, workout clothes and sweats; T-shirts, shirts with inappropriate slogans, tank tops, team jerseys, muscle shirts, camouflage and crop tops; shorts, camouflage pants, baggy or sagging pants or pants worn below the waist or hip line; flip-flops, slides, slippers or crocs.&quot; Men are forbidden from tucking pants into boots; women are forbidden from &quot;sweatpants, pajamas, night gowns, miniskirts. Also for women: &quot;no excessive cleavage, skirts should be within four inches of the knees.&quot;</p><p><br></p>

Colorado gun laws, HB 1219, SB 168-169

<p>Colorado&#39;s governor signed three gun laws on Friday, April 28, 2023. House Bill 1219 establishes a three-day minimum waiting period before a firearms purchase. Senate Bill 168 allows gun violence victims to pursue civil suits against gun manufacturers. Senate Bill 169 raises the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21.</p>

Federal Reserve review of Silicon Valley Bank

<p>The Federal Reserve blamed the March 2023 collapse of Silicon Valley Bank on poor management, watered-down regulations and lax oversight by its own staffers, and said the industry needs stricter policing on multiple fronts to prevent future bank failures. The Fed was critical of its own role in the bank&rsquo;s failure in a report compiled by Michael Barr, the Fed&rsquo;s chief regulator, and released Friday, April 28, 2023. As Silicon Valley Bank grew rapidly beginning in 2018, banking supervisors were slow to recognize problems that eventually contributed to the bank&rsquo;s downfall, including an increasing amount of uninsured deposits and inadequate safeguards against a sudden change in interest rates. Once those problems were identified, supervisors appeared unwilling to press the bank&rsquo;s management to address the issues, the report said: &quot;Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) failed because of a textbook case of mismanagement by the bank. Its senior leadership failed to manage basic interest rate and liquidity risk. Its board of directors failed to oversee senior leadership and hold them accountable. And Federal Reserve supervisors failed to take forceful enough action, as detailed in the report. Our banking system is sound and resilient, with strong capital and liquidity. And in some respects, SVB was an outlier because of the extent of its highly concentrated business model, interest rate risk, and high level of reliance on uninsured deposits; however, SVB&rsquo;s failure demonstrates that there are weaknesses in regulation and supervision that must be addressed. Regulatory standards for SVB were too low, the supervision of SVB did not work with sufficient force and urgency, and contagion from the firm&rsquo;s failure posed systemic consequences not contemplated by the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s tailoring framework. Following SVB&rsquo;s failure, we must strengthen the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s supervision and regulation based on what we have learned. This report represents the first step in that process&mdash;a self-assessment that takes an unflinching look at the conditions that led to the bank&rsquo;s failure, including the role of Federal Reserve supervision and regulation. Individuals who were not involved in the supervision of SVB conducted the review, and I oversaw it. The four key takeaways of the report are: 1. Silicon Valley Bank&rsquo;s board of directors and management failed to manage their risks. 2. Supervisors did not fully appreciate the extent of the vulnerabilities as Silicon Valley Bank grew in size and complexity. 3. When supervisors did identify vulnerabilities, they did not take sufficient steps to ensure that Silicon Valley Bank fixed those problems quickly enough. 4. The Board&rsquo;s tailoring approach in response to the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (EGRRCPA) and a shift in the stance of supervisory policy impeded effective supervision by reducing standards, increasing complexity, and promoting a less assertive supervisory approach.&quot;</p>

Colorado Senate Bill 170, red flag law

<p>Colorado&#39;s Senate Bill 170, signed Friday, April 28, 2023, expands the number of people who can place a &quot;red flag&quot; on a potential firearms buyer, blocking a gun sale.</p>

Pulaski County ordinance authorizing the joining of the Little Rock Air Force Base Regional Planning Committee

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">An ordinance authorizing the Pulaski County judge to enter into an inter-local agreement between the cities of Austin, Cabot, Jacksonville, Maumelle, North Little Rock, Sherwood and Ward, and the counties of Faulkner, Lonoke and White for the purpose of creating the Little Rock Air Force Base Regional Planning Committee and establishing its authority and responsibilities.</span></p>

Asa Hutchinson's 2024 announcement transcript

<p>Asa Hutchinson officially announced his candidacy in Bentonville at an event starting at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.</p>

Donnie King Memo to Tyson Foods Team Members

<p>Donnie King Memo to Tyson Foods Team Members </p>

Chief justice declines to testify to Senate panel

<p>Chief Justice John Roberts has declined an invitation from Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, to testify before the panel, calling such testimony by chief justices &quot;exceedingly rare.&quot; The Senate panel had planned to hold a hearing on May 2 to examine what Durbin called &quot;common sense proposals&quot; to hold Supreme Court justices to the same ethical standards as the rest of the federal judiciary, and Durbin had invited Roberts &quot;or his designate&quot; to take part. Roberts, however, replied that &quot;Testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee by the Chief Justice of the United States is exceedingly rare, as one might expect in light of the separation of powers concerns and the importance of preserving judicial independence.&quot; Roberts attached to his letter &quot;a Statement of Ethics Principles and Practices to which all of the current Members of the Supreme Court subscribe.&quot;</p>

Stanford dean's next steps after Judge Duncan incident

<p>In an open letter to the Stanford Law School community dated March 22, 2023, Dean Jenny S. Martinez writes, &quot; As my message to you last week indicated, I had hoped to wait until after final exams concluded at the end of this week to offer any further comments on the disruption of Judge Kyle Duncan&rsquo;s speech at a student Federalist Society event on March 9, 2023, and the school&rsquo;s response to that disruption. However, continuing outside attention to these events, as well as the volume of hateful and even threatening messages directed at members of our community, have led me to conclude that a more immediate statement is necessary. As we consider the role of respectful treatment of members of our community, I want to be clear that the hate mail and appalling invective that have been directed at some of our students and law school administrators in the wake of March 9 are of great concern to me. All actionable threats that come to our attention will be investigated and addressed as the law permits. In the message below, I respond below to many of the questions I continue to receive about why I apologized to Judge Duncan, why I stand by that apology, and why the protest violated the university&rsquo;s policy on disruption. I articulate how I believe our commitment to diversity and inclusion means that we must protect the expression of all views. And, I outline some of the steps the school will be taking in the wake of this incident, including the adoption of clearer protocols for managing disruptions and educational programming on free speech and norms of the legal profession. This message is unusually lengthy; because we are a law school and these issues are core to our educational mission, I explain some of my reasoning in quite a bit more detail than I would for a general audience. I also recognize that what I share below will not please everyone. While some of you may disagree with my views, I look forward to continuing the conversation about how we can create a learning environment that both respects freedom of speech and ensures that we support all of our diverse community members on their path to becoming lawyers.&quot;</p>

Disney lawsuit against Florida's DeSantis

<p>Disney sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday over the Republican&rsquo;s takeover of its theme park district, alleging the governor waged a &ldquo;targeted campaign of government retaliation&rdquo; after the company opposed a law critics call &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Say Gay.&rdquo; The lawsuit was filed in Tallahassee minutes after a Disney World oversight board appointed by DeSantis voted to void a deal that gave the company authority over design and construction decisions in its sprawling properties near Orlando. &ldquo;Disney regrets that it has come to this,&rdquo; the case said. &ldquo;But having exhausted efforts to seek a resolution, the Company is left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect its cast members, guests, and local development partners from a relentless campaign to weaponize government power against Disney in retaliation for expressing a political viewpoint unpopular with certain State officials.&rdquo; The lawsuit adds: &quot;Governor DeSantis and his allies paid no mind to the governing structure that facilitated Reedy Creek&rsquo;s successful development until one year ago, when the Governor decided to target Disney. There is no room for disagreement about what happened here: Disney expressed its opinion on state legislation and was then punished by the State for doing so. Governor DeSantis announced that Disney&rsquo;s statement had &ldquo;crossed the line&rdquo;&mdash;a line evidently separating permissible speech from intolerable speech&mdash;and launched a barrage of threats against the Company in immediate response. Since then, the Governor, the State Legislature, and the Governor&rsquo;s handpicked local government regulators have moved beyond threats to official action, employing the machinery of the State in a coordinated campaign to damage Disney&rsquo;s ability to do business in Florida. State leaders have not been subtle about their reasons for government intervention. They have proudly declared that Disney deserves this fate because of what Disney said. This is as clear a case of retaliation as this Court is ever likely to see.&quot;</p>

Stanford apology to Judge Duncan

<p>A letter to U.S. Circuit Judge Kyle Duncan dated March 11, 2023, is signed by <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Marc Tessier-Lavigne, <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">President and Bing Presidential Professor, and <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Jenny Martinez,&nbsp;</span></span></span>Richard E. Lang Professor of Law and Dean of Stanford Law School. It reads, &quot;Dear Judge Duncan, We write to apologize for the disruption of your recent speech at Stanford Law School. As has already been communicated to our community, what happened was inconsistent with our policies on free speech, and we are very sorry about the experience you had while visiting our campus. We are very clear with our students that, given our commitment to free expression, if there are speakers they disagree with, they are welcome to exercise their right to protest but not to disrupt the proceedings. Our disruption policy states that students are not allowed to &ldquo;prevent the effective carrying out&rdquo; of a &ldquo;public event&rdquo; whether by heckling or other forms of interruption. In addition, staff members who should have enforced university policies failed to do so, and instead intervened in inappropriate ways that are not aligned with the university&rsquo;s commitment to free speech. We are taking steps to ensure that something like this does not happen again. Freedom of speech is a bedrock principle for the law school, the university, and a democratic society, and we can and must do better to ensure that it continues even in polarized times.&quot;</p>

Capital projects

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Street and drainage projects&nbsp;</span><br><br></p>

Act 372

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Mississippi expands Capitol Police to Jackson

<p>Mississippi&#39;s Republican Governor Tate Reeves claims that violent crime in the capital of Jackson has made it necessary to expand where the Capitol Police can patrol. A bill he signed into law in April 2023 states, &quot;The Department of Public Safety shall have primary jurisdiction relative to any other state or municipal law enforcement agency to enforce all laws of the State of Mississippi within the boundaries of the Capitol Complex Improvement District created in Section 29-5-203; such enforcement shall be its primary function. The Department of Public Safety may, through any person or persons appointed by the Department of Public Safety, make arrests for any violation of any law of the State of Mississippi and violations of the City of Jackson&#39;s traffic ordinances or ordinances related to the disturbance of the public peace which occurs within the boundaries of the district and within the boundaries of the City of Jackson. The Department of Public Safety may choose to present cases to either the District Attorney or the prosecuting attorneys designated by the Attorney General for prosecution of any violation of law that accrues or occurs, in whole or in part, within the boundaries established by Section 29-5-203. The jurisdiction of the Department of Public Safety granted under this subsection (6) shall be concurrent with the jurisdiction of the City of Jackson, Mississippi, and that of Hinds County, Mississippi within the boundaries of the Capitol Complex Improvement District created in Section 29-5-203. At any time and/or during any event necessitating the coordination of and/or utilization at multiple jurisdictions, as determined by the Chief of Capitol Police or the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety shall be the lead agency when the event occurs on property as defined herein that is owned or leased by the state as provided in subsection (1) of this section. The jurisdiction and authority of the Department of Public Safety under this subsection shall be in addition to any other jurisdiction and authority provided to the department under this section or any other law.&quot;</p><p><br></p>

Deputy Prime Minister Raab resignation letter

<p>U.K. Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab grudgingly resigned Friday, April 21, 2023 after an independent investigation found he bullied civil servants, though he criticized the findings as &ldquo;flawed.&rdquo; Raab&rsquo;s announcement came the day after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak received the investigation report into eight formal complaints that Raab, who was also justice secretary, had been abusive toward staff members during a previous stint in that office and while serving as Britain&rsquo;s foreign secretary and Brexit secretary. Raab, 49, denied claims he belittled and demeaned staff and said he &ldquo;behaved professionally at all times.&rdquo; He remained defiant in resigning, saying he was &ldquo;duty-bound&rdquo; after promising to do so if the bullying complaints were substantiated. He said the inquiry made two findings of bullying against him and dismissed the others. He made it clear in his resignation letter that he did not accept the findings: &quot;In setting the threshold for bullying so low, this inquiry has set a dangerous precedent. It will encourage spurious complaints against ministers, and have a chilling effect on those driving change on behalf of your government - and ultimately the British people.&quot;</p>

Filing for contempt against Hunter Biden

<p>Hunter Biden hasn&rsquo;t provided &ldquo;specific discovery&rdquo; as ordered by a judge in his Arkansas paternity case, according to a motion filed Friday, April 21, 2023 in Independence County Circuit Court. Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, is &ldquo;playing games with this court,&rdquo; Jennifer Lancaster wrote in the motion for contempt, to compel discovery and to modify the scheduling order, which reads &quot;1. That this court entered a protective order on the defendant&rsquo;s motion. 2. That the protective order was intended so that the defendant would fully answer discovery instead of constantly objecting and asserting the need for protection. 3. That this court ordered that, upon entering the defendant&rsquo;s request for a protective order, again, that there was an expectation of &ldquo;great compliance with discovery.&rdquo; In fact, the court ordered that the defendant provide specific information related to discovery at the last hearing in this matter. 4. That a hearing was held nearly two months ago, on February 22, 2023, in which the court entered a protective order from the bench and ordered that the defendant provide specific discovery which he had previously failed to do. 5. That, in those two months, the defendant has provided no additional discovery&mdash;not so much as one single item or word&mdash;and has failed to supplement his answers at the court&rsquo;s directive. 6. That there is no valid excuse or justification for the defendant&rsquo;s failure to provide the required disclosures as the court has granted every single protective order the defendant has asked for since the inception of this case. 7. That the defendant is playing games with this court. 8. That the defendant&rsquo;s actions are a willful and flagrant violation of this court&rsquo;s previous order entered on the defendant&rsquo;s motion. This court should incarcerate the defendant in the Cleburne County Detention Center until he complies with this court&rsquo;s orders and answers discovery. In the alternative, this court should sanction the defendant as appropriate and just. 9. That the defendant&rsquo;s actions are a willful and flagrant violation of this court&rsquo;s previous order entered on the defendant&rsquo;s motion. This court should incarcerate the defendant in the Cleburne County Detention Center for flaunting the dignity and authority of this court. In the alternative, this court should sanction the defendant as appropriate and just. 10. That this court should again order great compliance with discovery and compel the defendant to fully answer discovery. 11. That the plaintiff has retained an expert, Garrett Ziegler, and counsel for the plaintiff can not adequately prepare for trial, conduct discovery, or utilize her experts under the current protective order because Mr. Biden will not answer discovery. This court should modify the scheduling order. 12. That Mr. Biden, who has never appeared before this court to answer for his repeated filing of spurious motions for protective orders and contemptuous acts, should be order to appear and show cause as to why he has requested protective orders, been granted those orders, and still not complied with those orders. 13. That the defendant, who holds a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, is engaging in vexatious litigation practices, has intentionally frustrated the litigation, and forced the plaintiff to incur excessive attorney&rsquo;s fees. This court should order that the defendant pay the plaintiff&rsquo;s attorney&rsquo;s fees and costs related to his conduct as detailed in this motion. WHEREFORE the plaintiff moves this honorable court to find the defendant in contempt; compel discovery; modify the scheduling order; for sanctions; for attorney&rsquo;s fees and costs; and for all other just and proper relief.&quot;</p>

HR734 to ban transgender school athletes

<p>The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday, April 20, 2023 that would prevent schools from allowing transgender girls and women from joining sports teams aligned with their gender identity. The Republican-led chamber approved the measure in a 219-203 vote along party lines, but it&rsquo;s unlikely the bill will advance further because the Democratic-led Senate is not expected to support it. Arkansas&rsquo; four House members &mdash; Reps. Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman &mdash; joined Republican colleagues in supporting the legislation. Crawford and Westerman had backed the bill as sponsors. House Resolution 734, the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, would prohibit school athletic programs from allowing individuals on teams that do not match their sex assigned at birth. The bill would make allowing athletes assigned male at birth on girls&rsquo; and women&rsquo;s teams a violation of Title IX, the 1972 law addressing discrimination by sex. The measure would amend Title IX by clarifying sex as &ldquo;based solely on a person&rsquo;s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.&rdquo;</p>

Florida SB450 on death penalty jury votes

<p>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday, April 20, 2023 ending a unanimous jury requirement in death penalty sentencing, a response to a verdict that spared the life of a school shooter who killed 17 people. DeSantis, a Republican, signed the bill in a private ceremony with families of victims of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland. The new law, Senate Bill 450, which went into effect as soon as the governor signed it, allows capital punishment in Florida with a jury recommendation of at least 8-4 in favor of execution. Only three states out of the 27 that impose the death penalty do not require unanimity. Alabama allows a 10-2 decision, and Missouri and Indiana let a judge decide when there is a divided jury. &ldquo;Once a defendant in a capital case is found guilty by a unanimous jury, one juror should not be able to veto a capital sentence,&rdquo; DeSantis said in a statement. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m proud to sign legislation that will prevent families from having to endure what the Parkland families have and ensure proper justice will be served in the state of Florida.&rdquo; The governor pushed for the legislation after a divided 9-3 jury spared Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz from execution in a verdict last year that outraged victims&rsquo; families. Cruz instead received a life sentence without the possibility of parole.</p>

Walmart 2023 Culture, Diversity, Equity Inclusion report

<p>Walmart&rsquo;s annual report on diversity and inclusion at the company shows where it made progress in the past year and where it needs to &ldquo;lean in.&rdquo; Donna Morris, Walmart&rsquo;s chief people officer, said in the company&rsquo;s Culture, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion report for fiscal 2023, released Wednesday, that it &ldquo;summarizes our collective efforts and progress to create a culture of belonging at Walmart.&rdquo; &ldquo;We remain committed to reporting key data about our representation twice a year,&rdquo; Morris said, &ldquo;and believe this transparency helps us better understand where we need to focus &mdash; and enables our stakeholders, community and associates to help us move forward as we keep making progress.&rdquo; The report also introduced Denise Malloy, Walmart&rsquo;s first chief belonging officer. The position expands the previous role of chief global culture, diversity, equity and inclusion officer, last held by Ben-Saba Hasan from July 2015 until he retired in July 2022.</p>

White House opposes transgender athlete ban

<p>In a statement released Thursday, April 20, 2023, the White House writes, &quot;The Administration strongly opposes House passage of H.R. 734. For students nationwide, participating in sports and being part of a team is an important part of growing up, staying engaged in school, and learning leadership and life skills. H.R. 734 would deny access to sports for many families by establishing an absolute ban on transgender students&mdash;even those as young as elementary schoolers&mdash;playing on a team consistent with their gender identity. Schools, coaches, and athletic associations around the country are already working with families to develop participation rules that are fair and that take into account particular sports, grade levels, and levels of competition. As a national ban that does not account for competitiveness or grade level, H.R. 734 targets people for who they are and therefore is discriminatory. Politicians should not dictate a one-size-fits-all requirement that forces coaches to remove kids from their teams. At a time when transgender youth already face a nationwide mental health crisis, with half of transgender youth in a recent survey saying they have seriously considered suicide, a national law that further stigmatizes these children is completely unnecessary, hurts families and students, and would only put students at greater risk. Discrimination has no place in our nation&rsquo;s schools or on our playing fields. Instead of addressing the pressing issues that families and students face today&mdash;such as raising teacher pay, keeping guns out of schools, addressing the mental health crisis our youth face, and helping students learn and recover academically from unprecedented disruptions&mdash;Congressional Republicans have instead chosen to prioritize policies that discriminate against children.&quot; Then, underlined for emphasis: &quot;If the President were presented with H.R. 734, he would veto it. &quot;</p>

Colorado Democrats kill semiautomatic gun-ban bill

<p>Colorado Democratic lawmakers killed an ambitious bill Thursday, April 20, 2023 that would have banned the sale and transfer of semiautomatic firearms, citing promises made to their constituents and concerns over the sweep of the ban even in a state still reeling from a mass shooting in Colorado Springs months earlier. Washington state&rsquo;s Democratic-controlled Statehouse cleared a ban on semiautomatic rifles Wednesday, joining the blue bastions of California and New York. But Colorado&rsquo;s Democratic-controlled Legislature was split on the issue, underscoring the state&rsquo;s purple roots, tensions between urban and rural constituents, and an ongoing push-and-pull between progressive and moderate Democrats that has defined this year&rsquo;s legislative session. The House Judiciary Committee vote followed an impassioned 14-hour hearing that began Wednesday morning and ended at 1 a.m. Thursday. Three Democrats on the panel voted &ldquo;no&rdquo; to kill the bill. They lauded Rep. Elisabeth Epps for her moral courage in bringing the bill forward but cited promises they made to their constituents to avoid government overreach affecting most gun owners&rsquo; rights.</p>

Washington state bill to ban many rifles

<p>A Washington state ban on dozens of semi-automatic rifles cleared the state Legislature on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, and the governor is expected to sign it into law. The high-powered firearms &mdash; once banned nationwide &mdash; are now the weapon of choice among young men responsible for most of the country&rsquo;s devastating mass shootings. The ban, House Bill 1240, comes after multiple failed attempts in the state&rsquo;s Legislature, and amid the most mass shootings during the first 100 days of a calendar year since 2009. The Washington law would block the sale, distribution, manufacture and importation of more than 50 gun models, including AR-15s, AK-47s and similar style rifles. These guns fire one bullet per trigger pull and automatically reload for a subsequent shot. Some exemptions are included for sales to law enforcement agencies and the military in Washington. It states in part, &quot;The legislature finds that assault weapons are not suitable for self-defense and that studies show that assault weapons are statistically not used in self-defense. The legislature finds that assault weapons are not commonly used in self-defense and that any proliferation is not the result of the assault weapon being well-suited for self-defense, hunting, or sporting purposes. Rather, increased sales are the result of the gun industry&#39;s concerted efforts to sell more guns to a civilian market. The legislature finds that the gun industry has specifically marketed these weapons as &quot;tactical,&quot; &quot;hyper masculine,&quot; and &quot;military style&quot; in manner that overtly appeals to troubled young men intent on becoming the next mass shooter. The legislature intends to limit the prospective sale of assault weapons, while allowing existing legal owners to retain the assault weapons they currently own.&quot;</p>

Resolution 639 of Disney World's governing body in Florida

<p>The new chair of Disney World&rsquo;s revamped governing body said Wednesday, April 19, 2023 that new supervisors had good intentions about collaborating with the company after they were appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, so it was &ldquo;shameful&rdquo; when Disney signed agreements with their predecessors stripping them of most of their authority. <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Martin Garcia, chair of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District, said at the start of a board meeting that &quot;nothing <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">is off the table at this point&rdquo;</span> with respect to what they might try to achieve in a showdown between DeSantis and Disney. With Resolution No. 639, the board of the <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Central Florida Tourism Oversight District</span>&nbsp;</span>asserts, &quot;The District has superior authority within the entire District, including within the jurisdictional limits of the City of Lake Buena Vista and the City of Bay Lake, for comprehensive planning, zoning, land development regulations, environmental protection regulations, and platting and subdivision regulations.&quot;</p>

UA Board of Trustees

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Senate response to retrenchment

<p>Senate response to retrenchment.</p>

GFPB Financial Report

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Go Forward Pine Bluff&#39;s revenue and expense report.</span></p>

Saline County quorum court 4.17.23

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Senate Bill 495, the Protect Arkansas Act

<p>The expansive criminal justice legislation signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders last week will put an end to the practice known as credit bonding and likely contribute to a clearer understanding of sentences, according to the prosecuting attorney for the Little Rock metro area. In a recent interview, Will Jones, the newly elected prosecuting attorney for the 6th Judicial District, which encompasses Pulaski and Perry counties, endorsed the idea that the Protect Arkansas Act will improve public safety. Under the Protect Arkansas Act, people convicted of 18 of the most violent felonies in state code, including rape and capital murder, will have to serve the entirety of their sentences in prison. The new law will require courts to add a period of post-release supervision in these cases if defendants are not already sentenced to the statutory maximum for their offense. People convicted of 53 lesser violent felonies such as second-degree murder, battery in the first degree or sexual indecency with a child will have to serve 85% of their sentence before being eligible for release with supervision. If a person convicted of a crime that requires them to serve 100% or 85% of their sentence violates their terms of release, they will have to serve the remainder of their previous sentence plus the entirety of the sentence they receive for the violation. Those convicted of felonies not addressed in the legislation could be eligible to serve 50% or 25% of their sentence in prison depending on a seriousness grid or table established by the Arkansas Sentencing Commission and approved by the Legislative Council. To allow the state Department of Corrections and courts to prepare for the changes included in the bill, the act will require offenders convicted of the most serious violent felonies to serve 100% of their sentences starting Jan. 1. For people convicted of lesser offenses, the new post-release supervision system will go into effect beginning Jan. 1, 2025.</p>

Mississippi water-rate law 2023

<p>Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves signed legislation Friday, April 14, 2023 requiring localities to base water bills on personal consumption, blocking a proposed change by the federally appointed manager of the troubled water system in the state&rsquo;s capital city. The Republican governor signed House Bill 698 months after Ted Henifin, who was appointed in November by a federal court to help improve Jackson&rsquo;s water infrastructure, released a proposal calling for billing water based on property values rather than personal use. Henifin said the new billing model would be a more equitable method of pricing water in a city where roughly 25% of residents live in poverty. It would be unfair to charge people for water based on factors unrelated to how much they consume, Reeves said in a statement on Friday. &quot;Water bills based on property values squeeze the middle class,&rdquo; Reeves said. &ldquo;They can&rsquo;t afford to pay more for the home they already own. Water bills will continue to be based off of personal consumption &mdash; just like what is being done throughout the rest of the country.&rdquo; In addition, the law states, &quot;Only in the event a municipality is unable to meet the requirement of billing based solely on volumetric usage, such municipality may bill based on a flat fee rate where such municipality has established flat fee billing as its usual and customary billing practice prior to the passage of this act, and where such municipality is actively billing based upon a flat fee rate as of the passage of this act. In such circumstances, flat fee billing may be utilized until such time as the municipality implements upgrades to its system to provide for volumetric billing. In such circumstance, the municipality may set different flat fee rates for different classifications of users, but the municipality shall not discriminate in setting flat fee rates among members of the same classification, and the municipality shall not charge a user a fee for services received that is less than the cost incurred by the municipality to provide such services.&quot;</p>

Montana bill to ban TikTok

<p>The Montana House of Representatives on Friday, April 14, 2023 approved a total ban on TikTok inside the state, setting up the state&rsquo;s Republican governor to sign the first-of-its-kind prohibition into law. The legislation, which would also bar app stores from carrying TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, was approved 54-43 in the last of two votes in the state House. The state Senate passed it in March. Gov. Greg Gianforte must decide whether to sign the bill into law, veto it or do nothing for 10 days after receiving the bill and let it become law without his signature. A spokesperson for Gianforte, Brooke Metrione, said he would &ldquo;carefully consider any bill the Legislature sends to his desk.&rdquo; The bill states that the ban is needed because &quot;the People&#39;s Republic of China is an adversary of the United States and Montana and has an interest in gathering information about Montanans, Montana companies, and the intellectual property of users to engage in corporate and international espionage,&quot; and because &quot;TikTok fails to remove, and may even promote, dangerous content that directs minors to engage in dangerous activities, including but not limited to throwing objects at moving automobiles, taking excessive amounts of medication, lighting a mirror on fire and then attempting to extinguish it using only one&#39;s body parts, inducing unconsciousness through oxygen deprivation, cooking chicken in NyQuil, pouring hot wax on a user&#39;s face, attempting to break an unsuspecting passerby&#39;s skull by tripping him or her into landing face first into a hard surface, placing metal objects in electrical outlets, swerving cars at high rates of speed, smearing human feces on toddlers, licking doorknobs and toilet seats to place oneself at risk of contracting coronavirus, attempting to climb stacks of milkcrates, shooting passersby with air rifles, loosening lug nuts on vehicles, and stealing utilities from public places.&quot;</p>

Alito order on abortion drug pause

<p>In an order issued Friday, April 14, 2023, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito wrote, &quot;UPON CONSIDERATION of the application of counsel for the applicants, IT IS ORDERED that the April 7, 2023 order of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, case No. 2:22-cv-223, is hereby administratively stayed until 11:59 p.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. It is further ordered that any response to the application be filed on or before Tuesday, April 18, 2023, by 12 p.m. (EDT).&quot; The order was in regards to a ruling by a federal judge in Texas the previous week against the Food and Drug Administration, and placed a five-day pause on the fast-moving case so the justices can decide whether lower court rulings restricting the FDA&rsquo;s approval of the drug, mifepristone, should be allowed to take effect in the short term. The justices are being asked at this point only to determine what parts of an April 7 ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Texas, as modified by a 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling Wednesday, can be in force while the case continues. The order expires late Wednesday, April 19.</p>

Vetoed 2023 Arkansas bills

<p>Three bills which were vetoed by Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders are listed. They are: House Bill 1189, which aims to create a state-based license for behavior analysts; House Bill 1622, which aims to create a heart attack task force; and Senate Bill 509, which would boost the maximum permitted daily stipend for members of the Arkansas Board of Corrections from $85 to $110. The stated reasons: HB1189 &quot;creates unnecessary and overburdensome regulation&quot; for behavior analysts. HB1622 was seen as a duplicate of the Arkansas STEMI Advisory Council. SB509 was vetoed with a letter stating, &quot;As Governor, I made a commitment to the State of Arkansas that I would look for ways to reduce government waste and ensure that tax dollars are spent wisely.&quot;</p>

Arkansas House Bill 1176, vetoed appropriations

<p>Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders vetoed a section of Arkansas House Bill 1176, appropriations for the Department of Corrections Division of Correction, that would have provided $5 million for pandemic-related expenses for the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Her reasoning: &ldquo;During my first days in office, I terminated several existing Executive Orders related to the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe in freedom and personal responsibility &ndash; not COVID mandates or shutdowns. The COVID-19 pandemic is over.&rdquo; Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe, said the section of the bill Sanders vetoed was an unfunded appropriation that would have no impact on the Department of Corrections.</p>

Trump lawsuit against Michael Cohen

<p>In a lawsuit seeking &quot;actual, compensatory, incidental, and punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial, but expected to substantially exceed Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000),&quot; former President Donald Trump claims that he suffered &quot;<span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">vast reputational harm&quot; because</span> his former attorney, Michael Cohen, committed &quot;multiple breaches of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, conversion, and breaches of contract by virtue of Defendant&rsquo;s past service as Plaintiff&rsquo;s employee and attorney,&quot; including breaching &quot;the contractual terms of the confidentiality agreement he signed as a condition of employment with Plaintiff by both revealing Plaintiff&rsquo;s confidences, and spreading falsehoods about Plaintiff with malicious intent and to wholly self-serving ends. Defendant unlawfully converted Plaintiff&rsquo;s business property when he fraudulently misrepresented a business expenditure, and stated that he was owed an extra $74,000 over the true amount of the expenditure. Defendant was reimbursed based on the fraudulent misrepresentation, and accordingly converted $74,000 from Plaintiff. Defendant committed these breaches through myriad public statements, including the publication of two books, a podcast series, and innumerable mainstream media appearances, as detailed herein. Defendant has engaged in such wrongful conduct over a period of time and, despite being demanded in writing to cease and desist such unacceptable actions, has instead in recent months increased the frequency and hostility of the illicit acts toward Plaintiff. Defendant appears to have become emboldened and repeatedly continues to make wrongful and false statements about Plaintiff through various platforms. Such continuous and escalating improper conduct by Defendant has reached a proverbial crescendo and has left Plaintiff with no alternative but to seek legal redress through this action.&quot;</p>

Arkansas Senate Bill 508 on tire recycling (amended)

<p>Arkansas lawmakers on Friday, April 7, 2023 sent to the governor&rsquo;s desk a heavily amended bill that intends to provide some relief to the state&rsquo;s flagging tire recycling program without increasing fees on consumers. Senate Bill 508, which easily cleared the House and Senate on Friday, is intended to be a stopgap, said sponsor Rep. Justin Gonzales, R-Okolona. When presenting the bill on the House floor, Gonzales said Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders had indicated she would be willing to call a special session if stakeholders come to an agreement on long-term solutions for properly disposing of tires. The bill&rsquo;s Senate sponsor, Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, said a House amendment &ldquo;pretty much gutted&rdquo; the legislation when presenting it on the Senate floor. An earlier version of SB508 would have generated an estimated $3 million to $4 million in new fees to subsidize the disposal of tires, Payton said when presenting the bill in a Senate committee last week. The earlier version of SB508 would have expanded the types of tires subject to a $3 fee when purchased new at tire shops. It also would have imposed the new tire fee for each tire included in the sale of new vehicles.</p>

Kansas House Bill 2439 on medication abortion

<p>Abortion opponents pushed a bill through the Kansas Legislature on Friday, April 7, 2023 to require providers to tell patients that a medication abortion can be &ldquo;reversed&rdquo; once it&rsquo;s started &mdash; a measure that could face a state court challenge if its supporters can overcome the governor&rsquo;s expected veto. Republican lawmakers pursued the bill even though experts dispute abortion opponents&rsquo; claims about medication abortions. Kansas&rsquo;s legal and political climate won&rsquo;t allow a ban on abortion, despite the U.S. Supreme Court&rsquo;s ruling in June 2022 that states can outlaw abortion. The Kansas Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that access to abortion is a matter of bodily autonomy and a &ldquo;fundamental&rdquo; right under the state constitution. Democrats argue the measure defies a decisive statewide vote in August affirming abortion rights. But Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion groups contend the vote last year doesn&rsquo;t preclude &ldquo;reasonable&rdquo; restrictions. They contend that the &ldquo;abortion pill reversal&rdquo; measure only ensures that patients have information. &ldquo;They need to be knowledgeable about what can happen,&rdquo; Republican state Rep. Susan Humphries, of Wichita, during a debate on the issue last week. The votes for the final version of the bill were 80-38 in the House and 26-11 in the Senate.</p>

Washington abortion drug ruling mifepristone

<p>U.S. District Judge Thomas Rice, an Obama appointee, ruled Friday, April 7, 2023 that the medication abortion drug mifepristone is safe and effective, writing of the states that filed the case against the Food and Drug Administration, &quot;First, the relief Plaintiffs seek by enjoining FDA from enforcing REMS (Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy) is inconsistent. Compare ECF Nos. 3 at 37 (enjoining 2023 REMS) with 3-1 at 3 (enjoining REMS entirely). Enjoining REMS from mifepristone entirely is well beyond the status quo. Indeed, enjoining the 2023 REMS and returning to the status quo would eliminate the ability of pharmacies to provide the drug, thereby reducing its availability. This runs directly counter to Plaintiffs&rsquo; request.&quot;</p>

Texas abortion drug ruling mifepristone

<p>U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk, a Trump appointee, on Friday, April 7, 2023 ordered a hold on federal approval of mifepristone, writing, &quot;Over twenty years ago, the United States Food and Drug Administration (&ldquo;FDA&rdquo;) approved chemical abortion (&ldquo;2000 Approval&rdquo;). The legality of the 2000 Approval is now before this Court. Why did it take two decades for judicial review in federal court? After all, Plaintiffs&rsquo; petitions challenging the 2000 Approval date back to the year 2002, right? Simply put, FDA stonewalled judicial review &mdash; until now. Before Plaintiffs filed this case, FDA ignored their petitions for over sixteen years, even though the law requires an agency response within &ldquo;180 days of receipt of the petition.&rdquo; 21 C.F.R. &sect; 10.30(e)(2)). But FDA waited 4,971 days to adjudicate Plaintiffs&rsquo; first petition and 994 days to adjudicate the second. ... Had FDA responded to Plaintiffs&rsquo; petitions within the 360 total days allotted, this case would have been in federal court decades earlier. Instead, FDA postponed and procrastinated for nearly 6,000 days.&quot;</p>

Jim Jordan subpoena to Mark Pomerantz

<p>Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, one of Donald Trump&rsquo;s fiercest allies in Congress, has issued a subpoena for a former prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney&rsquo;s office. Jordan, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, subpoenaed former New York County special assistant district attorney Mark Pomerantz to appear before the committee for a deposition. The move by Jordan comes two days after Trump was charged by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. The charges are centered on checks Trump wrote to reimburse his lawyer Michael Cohen for $130,000 paid to adult-film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Trump pleaded innocent. Jordan&#39;s letter begins, &quot;The Committee on the Judiciary is conducting oversight of the New York County District Attorney&rsquo;s unprecedented indictment of a former President of the United States and current declared candidate for that office. On March 22, 2023, we requested that you voluntarily cooperate with our oversight by providing relevant documents and testimony pertaining to your role as a special assistant district attorney leading the investigation into the former President&rsquo;s finances. We received a reply letter dated March 27, 2023, stating that, at the instruction of the New York County District Attorney&rsquo;s Office, you would not cooperate with our oversight.&quot;</p>

Senate Bill 396 on social media age verification

<p>The Arkansas Senate on Thursday, April 6, 2023 voted to send to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders a bill that would require age verification for new social media users and parental permission for those younger than 18. After concurring with a House amendment to Senate Bill 396 by Sen. Tyler Dees, R-Siloam Springs, the Senate voted 21-3 to give final approval to the bill, &quot;An Act To Create The Social Media Safety Act; To Require Age Verification For Use Of Social Media; To Clarify Liability For Failure To Perform Age Verification For Use Of Social Media And Illegal Retention Of Data; And For Other Purposes.&quot; Eight senators voted present and one senator didn&rsquo;t vote on the bill with two other senators absent. Arkansas is following Utah as states that have passed bills restricting social media use for children. Dees told senators the House&rsquo;s amendment to the bill improved it based on suggestions from Apple, Facebook and Google, and the bill would apply to new accounts and would exempt YouTube. &ldquo;The heart of it is to protect children,&rdquo; he said.</p>

Pentagon review of Afghanistan withdrawal

<p>A federal document outlining &quot;the key decisions and challenges&quot; involved in the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan begins, &quot;When he came into office, President Biden believed the right thing for the country was to end the longest war in American history and bring American troops home. As he laid out to the American people, after twenty years, the United States had accomplished its mission in Afghanistan: to remove from the battlefield the terrorists who attacked the United States on 9/11, including Osama bin Laden, and degrade the terrorist threat to the United States. Over two decades, the United States had also&mdash;along with our NATO allies and partners&mdash;spent hundreds of billions of dollars training and equipping the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and supporting successive Afghan governments. At the outset, America&rsquo;s goal was never to nation-build. But, over time, this is what America drifted into doing. Two decades after the war had started, America had become bogged down in a war in Afghanistan with unclear objectives and no end in sight and was underinvesting in today&rsquo;s and tomorrow&rsquo;s national security challenges.&quot;</p><p>It continues, &quot;President Biden&rsquo;s choices for how to execute a withdrawal from Afghanistan were severely constrained by conditions created by his predecessor. When President Trump took office in 2017, there were more than 10,000 troops in Afghanistan. Eighteen months later, after introducing more than 3,000 additional troops just to maintain the stalemate, President Trump ordered direct talks with the Taliban without consulting with our allies and partners or allowing the Afghan government at the negotiating table. In September 2019, President Trump embolded the Taliban by publicly considering inviting them to Camp David on the anniversary of 9/11. In February 2020, the United States and the Taliban reached a deal, known as the Doha Agreement, under which the United States agreed to withdraw all U.S. forces from Afghanistan by May 2021. In return, the Taliban agreed to participate in a peace process and refrain from attacking U.S. troops and threatening Afghanistan&rsquo;s major cities&mdash;but only as long as the United States remained committed to withdraw by the agreement&rsquo;s deadline. As part of the deal, President Trump also pressured the Afghan government to release 5,000 Taliban fighters from prison, including senior war commanders, without securing the release of the only American hostage known to be held by the Taliban.&quot;</p>

Arkansas House Bill 1615 on religious freedom

<p>An Arkansas Senate panel on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 advanced a bill intended to strengthen religious freedom protections in state law. House Bill 1615 by Rep. Robin Lundstrum, R-Elm Springs, passed the Committee on Judiciary in a vote without audible dissent. The measure, which opponents say is unnecessary given existing religious freedom protections, moves to the full Senate for further action. Lundstrum told committee members the bill would update definitions in the state&rsquo;s Religious Freedom Restoration Act and codify legal precedent to prevent the state from discriminating against religious organizations.</p>

Skyline Report for second half of '22

<p>Skyline Report for second half of &#39;22</p>

Read the full indictment against Trump

<p><span style="color: rgb(60, 60, 60); font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Former President Donald Trump pleaded not guilty Tuesday to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records arising from a hush money payment to a porn actor during his 2016 campaign.</span></p>

North Little Rock curfew post-tornado

<p>On April 1, 2023, North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick declared a weekend curfew for much of the city, citing the emergency in place after a devastating tornado hit the city on March 31.</p>

House Bill 1689, school funding

<p>The House Education Committee approved a bill Thursday, March 30, 2023 to overhaul how the state funds public education. During a marathon meeting, the committee approved House Bill 1689, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Cozart, R-Hot Springs, that will create a new formula for how the state funds public schools. The bill is scheduled for a vote in the House of Representatives on Monday. If approved, school districts would receive a per-pupil base funding, and then additional weighted funding based on a variety of factors such as the number of special needs students, district size, population density or poverty. Cozart said the bill is based on how Tennessee funds public education. The state&rsquo;s funding formula is based on a school district with 500 students with schools receiving dollars on a per-student basis, taking in how much it should spend on teacher salaries, transportation and facilities, among other items. The current funding formula is flawed, Cozart said, as districts with fewer than 500 students are significantly underfunded when compared to their larger counterparts. The proposed formula calls for schools to receive additional funding for each student who is economically disadvantaged, resides in a small district, is in a sparsely populated area or experiences concentrated poverty. But exactly how it will work would be worked out at a later time, when lawmakers meet out of session.</p>

Sanders tornado disaster declaration, March 31, 2023

<p>WHEREAS: On March 31, 2023, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes struck Arkansas and continue to cause dangers, hardships, and suffering throughout the state, which in turn, warrants this executive action; WHEREAS: Great hardship has fallen upon citizens and businesses in Arkansas, as well as public and private properties throughout the state; WHEREAS: The weather-related damage from this event has created the need for commercial vehicles to haul heavy equipment, oversized loads, transformers, necessary hardware, and other transmission and distribution equipment to line crews for the purpose of restoring power to the citizens of the State of Arkansas; WHEREAS: There are numerous downed power lines, and it is important to maintain a safe distance from downed power lines and from the line crews and equipment restoring power to the citizens of the State of Arkansas; and WHEREAS: Pursuant to 49 CFR &sect;390.23, the Governor is authorized to declare a regional emergency for the duration of emergency conditions, not to exceed thirty (30) days from the date of the initial declaration of emergency, and any motor carrier or driver operating a commercial vehicle to provide emergency relief is temporarily exempt from the regulations found in 49 CFR &sect;390 to &sect;399 for the duration of the declared emergency. NOW THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas and pursuant to Act 511 of 1973, as amended, do hereby declare that a state of emergency exists in the State of Arkansas as applied to commercial vehicles hauling heavy equipment, oversized loads, transformers, necessary hardware, and other transmission and distribution equipment to line crews for the purpose of restoring power to the citizens of the State.</p><p>FURTHERMORE: I do hereby declare that a state of emergency exists in the State of Arkansas as applied to emergency response vehicles such as, but not limited to, utility vehicles, bucket trucks, and electric utility supply trucks responding to the storms and related damage. These emergency response vehicles are authorized to bypass all Arkansas Department of Transportation weigh station facilities through April 5, 2023. This authorization does not include vehicles that require permits to operate on Arkansas&rsquo; roadways. This authorization does not relieve size and weight restrictions. This declaration only applies to weigh stations and to vehicles traveling in convoy.</p>

Arkansas Senate Bill 508 on tire recycling

<p>An Arkansas Senate panel on Friday, March 31, 2023 advanced a bill that aims to restructure the state&rsquo;s tire recycling program and is expected to generate roughly $3 million to $4 million in new fees to help properly dispose of tires. Senate Bill 508 by Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, passed the Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor in a voice vote without audible dissent. The bill, which received opposition from state government officials who asked lawmakers not to increase fees on Arkansans, moves to the full Senate for further consideration. Payton said he generally favors privatization, but he said that bolstering government subsidies is currently the only effective way to ensure waste tires are properly processed. SB508 would expand the definition of small tires, which are subject to a $3 fee when purchased new at tire shops, to include standard pick-up trucks, light-duty trucks, lawnmowers, golf carts, trailers and low-profile vehicles. Under current law, only tires for automobiles, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles are considered &ldquo;small tires.&rdquo;</p>

Part of Affordable Care Act repealed

<p>A federal judge in Texas who previously ruled to dismantle the Affordable Care Act struck down a narrower but key part of the nation&rsquo;s health law Thursday that requires most insurers to cover preventive services that include screenings for cancer, diabetes and mental health. Other no-cost services, including HIV screenings, are also affected under the ruling by U.S. District Judge Reed O&rsquo;Connor that opponents say will jeopardize preventive care for millions of Americans. Experts cautioned that insurers are unlikely to stop any coverage immediately. The Biden administration was expected to appeal and seek a stay of the ruling. &ldquo;This is not the potential fatal blow to the ACA like previous court cases, but it would limit a very popular benefit that tens of millions of people use,&rdquo; said Larry Levitt, executive vice president for health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation. The decision comes more than four years after O&rsquo;Connor, a nominee of former President George W. Bush, ruled that the entire health care law also known as &ldquo;Obamacare&rdquo; was unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned that ruling. This time O&rsquo;Conner blocked only the requirement that most insurers cover a range of preventive care &mdash; including screenings for multiple types of cancer &mdash; siding with plaintiffs who include a conservative activist in Texas and a Christian dentist who opposed mandatory coverage for contraception and an HIV prevention treatment on religious grounds.</p>

Arkansas Senate Bill 549 of 2023, tax cuts

<p>Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and legislative leaders have agreed to enact an individual income tax cut totaling about $100 million a year and a corporate income tax cut totaling about $24 million a year before this year&rsquo;s regular session ends, Sanders announced Thursday, March 30, 2023. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, said the state&rsquo;s top individual income tax rate would be cut from 4.9% to 4.7% and the state&rsquo;s top corporate income tax rate would be cut from 5.3% to 5.1%, retroactive to Jan. 1, 2023, under his Senate Bill 549. Sanders and legislative leaders announced their income tax agreement and SB549 at a news conference in the governor&rsquo;s conference room on the 81st day of the 94th General Assembly&rsquo;s regular session, which legislative leaders said they are aiming to wrap up potentially April 7. Besides Dismang, legislative leaders at the news conference included House Speaker Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado; Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee Chairman Jimmy Hickey, R-Texarkana; and House Revenue and Taxation Committee Chairman Les Eaves, R-Searcy.</p>

House Bill 1468 to create the Given Name Act

<p>A bill to prohibit public school employees from calling students by their preferred name or pronoun without permission from a parent advanced out of a Senate committee on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. House Bill 1468 by Rep. Wayne Long, R-Bradford, would require a teacher to have written permission from a parent or guardian to address a student by a pronoun &ldquo;inconsistent with the unemancipated minor&rsquo;s or student&rsquo;s biological sex,&rdquo; or name other than the one listed on the birth certificate. The bill also would prohibit public schools and universities from punishing staff for not using a student&rsquo;s preferred name or pronoun. Long said the bill would protect the right of conscience for public school staff who do not want to use a student&rsquo;s preferred pronoun or name and notify parents if students ask a teacher to refer to them by a name or pronoun of their preference. The committee passed the bill through a voice vote, sending it to the Senate for action. The bill passed the House of Representatives earlier this month. The bill would not apply to derivatives of given names such as &ldquo;Bob&rdquo; for &ldquo;Robert,&rdquo; Long said. But school staff would not be able to refer to students by nicknames without written approval from a parent or guardian.</p>

House Bill 1726

<p>House Bill 1726</p>

House Bill 1610

<p>House Bill 1610</p>

FOIA Handbook 20th Edition

<p>FOIA Handbook 20th Edition</p>

House Bill 1610

<p>An act to amend the law concerning the freedom of information act of 1967.</p>

Amendment HB1610-H1

<p>To amend the law relating to public meetings under the freedom of information act of 1967.</p>

House Bill 1726

<p>An act to amend the law concerning the freedom of information act of 1967.</p>

Court strikes down federal vaccine mandate

<p>President Joe Biden&rsquo;s order that federal employees get vaccinated against covid-19 has been blocked by a federal appeals court. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, in a decision Thursday, March 23, 2023, rejected arguments that Biden, as the nation&rsquo;s chief executive, has the same authority as the CEO of a private corporation to require that employees be vaccinated. The ruling from the full appeals court, 16 full-time judges at the time the case was argued, reversed an earlier ruling by a three-judge 5th Circuit panel that had upheld the vaccination requirement. Judge Andrew Oldham, nominated to the court by President Donald Trump, wrote the opinion for a 10-member majority. The ruling maintains the status quo for federal employee vaccines. It upholds a preliminary injunction blocking the mandate issued by a federal judge in January 2022. At that point, the administration said nearly 98% of covered employees had been vaccinated. And, Oldham noted, with the preliminary injunction arguments done, the case will return to that court for further arguments, when &ldquo;both sides will have to grapple with the White House&rsquo;s announcement that the COVID emergency will finally end on May 11, 2023.&rdquo; The successful argument against the mandate included the idea that while the government can make demands of employers, it cannot make demands of employees, including a requirement to get a vaccine.</p>

House Parents Bill of Rights Act

<p>House Republicans on Friday, March 24, 2023 narrowly passed legislation that would fulfill a campaign promise to give parents a role in what&rsquo;s taught in public schools. It has little chance in the Democratic-run Senate and critics said it would propel a far-right movement that has led to book bans, restrictions aimed at transgender students and raucous school board meetings across the country. Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who made the Parents&rsquo; Bill of Rights Act a priority during the early weeks of his tenure, said Republicans were &ldquo;keeping our promise, our commitment to America, that parents will have a say in their kids&rsquo; education.&rdquo; The bill passed 213-208, with five Republicans &mdash; mostly members of the House Freedom Caucus &mdash; voting against it. It would require schools to publish course studies and a list of books kept in libraries, as well as affirm parents&rsquo; ability to meet with educators, speak at school board meetings and examine school budgets. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., successfully added amendments that would require schools to report when transgender girls join girls&rsquo; athletics teams and if transgender girls are allowed to use girls&rsquo; school restrooms or locker rooms. The bill would also require elementary and middle schools to get parents&rsquo; consent to change a child&rsquo;s gender designation, pronouns or name. House Freedom Caucus members unsuccessfully tried to add provisions that called for abolishing Department of Education programs in schools and endorsed vouchers that would send public funds to private schools.</p>

Arkansas House Bill 1688 on school funding

<p>A public school funding bill filed late Thursday, March 23, 2023 in the Arkansas Legislature calls for a per student spending increase for the 2023-2024 and 2024-25 academic years. But it is less than what lawmakers recommended in the fall. Overall, funding for public schools in House Bill 1688 &mdash; the legislation filed late Thursday and sponsored by Rep. Brian Evans of Cabot and Sen. Jane English of North Little Rock, both Republicans &mdash; would increase by about 2.8%. Precise figures were not available late Thursday and were not included in the version of the six-page bill. The legislation calls for an increase in the per-student foundation funding by $205 to $7,618 for the 2023-2024 school year. For the 2024-2025 school year, the legislation calls for the per-student funding to increase to $7,771. The per-pupil funding for the 2022-2023 school year is $7,413. The funding bill filed Thursday is part of a mandated process that lawmakers review education adequacy and determine how much the state will spend on public schools for the next two-years. The per-student foundation funding is the largest part of state funding for public education. Schools also recieve supplemental state and federal funds for education.</p>

LRCVB Tourism Master Plan 2023

<p>LRCVB Tourism Master Plan 2023</p>

Arkansas House Bill 1684 on abortion health

<p>A bill filed Wednesday, March 22, 2023 would broaden the exception to Arkansas&rsquo; abortion ban, allowing the procedure when necessary to protect the health of the mother. Rep. Denise Garner, D-Fayetteville, filed House Bill 1684 the day after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that that state&rsquo;s constitution guarantees the right to an abortion when a doctor has determined that continuing a pregnancy would endanger a woman&rsquo;s life due to a medical condition she is suffering from or is likely to suffer from. Currently, abortions in Arkansas are allowed only to save the life of a woman during a medical emergency. HB1684 would allow women to seek an abortion in cases where there is a &ldquo;health-endangering&rdquo; condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy. The bill would also delete the word &ldquo;physical&rdquo; from language in the state&rsquo;s ban that defines a medical emergency as a situation in which a woman&rsquo;s life is endangered by a physical disorder, injury, illness or condition. Garner&rsquo;s bill did not have any co-sponsors as of Wednesday and had yet to be assigned to a committee.</p>

Federal Reserve raises rate March 2023

<p>The Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point Wednesday, March 22, 2023, moving forward with its year-long fight against high inflation despite concern its rate increases can fuel instability in the banking system. Financial markets expected the quarter-point move, which brings the Fed&rsquo;s base policy rate to between 4.75-5%. The Fed&#39;s statement reads: &quot;Recent indicators point to modest growth in spending and production. Job gains have picked up in recent months and are running at a robust pace; the unemployment rate has remained low. Inflation remains elevated. The U.S. banking system is sound and resilient. Recent developments are likely to result in tighter credit conditions for households and businesses and to weigh on economic activity, hiring, and inflation. The extent of these effects is uncertain. The Committee remains highly attentive to inflation risks. The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. In support of these goals, the Committee decided to raise the target range for the federal funds rate to 4-3/4 to 5 percent. The Committee will closely monitor &nbsp;incoming information and assess the implications for monetary policy. The Committee anticipates that some additional policy firming may be appropriate in order to attain a stance of monetary policy that is sufficiently restrictive to return inflation to 2 percent over time. In determining the extent of future increases in the target range, the Committee will take into account the cumulative tightening of monetary policy, the lags with which monetary policy affects economic activity and inflation, and economic and financial developments. In addition, the Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage-backed securities, as described in its previously announced plans. The Committee is strongly committed to returning inflation to its 2 percent objective.&quot;</p>

Florida proposes expanding Don't Say Gay rule

<p>Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis &rsquo; administration is moving to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, expanding the controversial law critics call &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t Say Gay&rdquo; as the Republican governor continues to focus on cultural issues ahead of his expected presidential run. The proposal, which would not require legislative approval, is scheduled for a vote next month before the state Board of Education and has been put forward by the state Education Department, both of which are led by appointees of the governor. The rule change would ban lessons on sexual orientation and gender identity from grades 4 to 12, unless required by existing state standards or as part of reproductive health instruction that students can choose not to take. The initial law that DeSantis championed last spring bans those lessons in kindergarten through the third grade. The change was first reported by the Orlando Sentinel. The rule states that educators &quot;shall not intentionally provide classroom instruction to students in grades 4 through 12 on sexual orientation or gender identity unless such instruction is either expressly required by state academic standards as adopted in Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C., or is part of a reproductive health course or health lesson for which a student&rsquo;s parent has the option to have his or her student not attend.&quot;</p>

Sanders repeals covid executive orders (seal)

<p>On January 13, 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders repealed five executive orders on the covid-19 pandemic issued by the Hutchinson administration, disbanding the Arkansas Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Steering Committee; the Governor&#39;s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response; the Governor&rsquo;s COVID-19 Testing Advisory Group; the Governor&rsquo;s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board; and the Governor&rsquo;s COVID-19 Winter Task Force. Sanders noted that &quot;In an appearance on CBS&rsquo; &ldquo;60 Minutes&rdquo; on September 18, 2022, President Joe Biden said the &ldquo;pandemic is over;&rdquo; the first case of COVID-19 was identified more than three years ago, and it is time for Arkansas&mdash;and America&mdash;to get back to normal; and it is the position of this administration to begin prioritizing and promoting other public health challenges.&quot; As of March 22, 2023, that meant that the Arkansas Department of Health ended daily covid updates on its online dashboard.</p>

Senate Bill 449

<p>TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS BROADBAND ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.</p>

House Bills 1496, 1521 and 1561, protection

<p>At least three bills intended to shield professionals ranging from Little League umpires to police officers from harm by stiffening state criminal law are working their way through the Arkansas Legislature. House Bill 1496, which aims to safeguard athletic officials from physical abuse, and House Bill 1561, which seeks to add charges for drivers who injure or kill road workers, passed the House in March 2023 with broad support and are bound for the Senate. The House Committee on Judiciary is expected to continue its consideration of House Bill 1521, which would create a criminal penalty for disarming a law enforcement officer, after the Legislature returns from its spring break March 27. By creating new charges that prosecutors could use alongside existing penalties, sponsors said their bills would help deter people from harming officials. In some instances, however, lawmakers have expressed concerns about singling out certain groups for special protection under the law and placing additional charges on defendants who may already be facing extended sentences. Rep. RJ Hawk, who is sponsoring HB1496, told the House on Thursday that his bill would help protect athletic officials at the Little League, high school and collegiate levels.</p>

Arkansas AG's brief supporting motion to end continued supervision of Camden-Fairview SD

<p>Arkansas AG&#39;s brief supporting motion to end continued supervision of Camden-Fairview SD</p>

HB 1679 on student-athlete likeness rights

<p>An Arkansas lawmaker filed a bill filed March 17, 2023 to study the prospects of allowing high school athletes the right to receive compensation for their likeness. Rep. R.J. Hawk, R-Bryant, filed House Bill 1679 to have lawmakers meet to discuss and study the issue when they are out of session. Currently, the Arkansas Activities Association, the regulatory body for high school athletics, does not allow student-athletes to receive compensation for their name, image or likeness. If passed, the House and Senate education committees would be tasked with whether high school students should be able to receive compensation for their publicity rights and sponsorship deals. Lawmakers would have to file a written report by Oct. 31, 2024, on their findings, according to the bill.</p>

Preliminary NTSB report from Feb. 22 plane crash in Little Rock

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Slack-Lato, Slack-Fractions, appleLogo, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: common-ligatures; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">Preliminary NTSB report from Feb. 22 plane crash in Little Rock</span></p>

Arkansas HB 1649 to amend student-athlete publicity act

<p>Arkansas House Speaker Matthew Shepherd filed a bill Thursday, March 16, 2023 to expand the state&rsquo;s law that allows college athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness to include some high school students. The state&rsquo;s current name, image and likeness law applies only to students who are enrolled in a college or university. House Bill 1649 would expand the law to include high school students who have signed a national letter of intent, or similar agreement, or have been accepted to a college or university. Previously the National Collegiate Athletic Association had barred college athletes from profiting of their name, image and likeness but ended the policy in June 2021. Under the name, image and likeness policy, athletes can be compensated through marketing and promotional events, such as product endorsements, autographs and more. By allowing some high school athletes to enter into name, image and likeness deals, Shepherd said the proposed bill is aimed at keeping the state&rsquo;s universities competitive in the often cutthroat world of recruiting. &ldquo;From my perspective, I&rsquo;d rather [prefer] that we didn&rsquo;t have to go down this road, but the fact of the matter is that&rsquo;s the environment in which we live, that&rsquo;s the world in which we live,&rdquo; Shepherd told reporters during a news conference after the House adjourned Thursday. &ldquo;So it&rsquo;s important that our laws are keeping up with what&rsquo;s going on across the country.&rdquo; However, the bill addresses only a portion of high school athletes, with Shepherd deferring a future name, image likeness policy for all high school athletes to the Arkansas Activities Association, saying he expects there to be an interim study to look into the issue.</p>

Arkansas HB 1559 on implicit-bias training at schools

<p>The Arkansas House Education Committee signed off Thursday, March 16, 2023 on a bill barring public schools and universities from requiring their employees to participate in implicit bias training, or programs aimed at having people recognize potential inherit and unconscious biases they may have against people from a different race, ethnicity, religion or gender. House Bill 1559 by Rep. Mindy McAlindon, R-Centerton, is a preemptive measure against a practice that is popular among some human resource departments across the country, McAlindon said. The bill moves to the House for action. <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">McAlindon</span> said implicit-bias training was not a problem in many Arkansas schools, but that &quot;I have anecdotal evidence of people saying that they&rsquo;ve attended trainings that have implicit bias in it that they&rsquo;ve been uncomfortable with.&rdquo; McAlindon, a first-term member of the Arkansas House of Representatives, said a recent study showed implicit bias training, &ldquo;while well-meaning, does not lead to meaningful change and can actually lead to an increase in anger and frustration.&rdquo;</p>

Arkansas HB 1479 on Chinese land purchases

<p>A bill that cleared the Arkansas House of Representatives on Thursday, March 16, 2023 would bar entities connected with the People&rsquo;s Republic of China from owning agricultural land in Arkansas. House Bill 1479 proposes barring a governmental entity, company or other entity either based in the People&rsquo;s Republic of China or directly or indirectly held or controlled by China&rsquo;s government from acquiring or purchasing agricultural land in Arkansas. The bill, filed February 21, passed through the House Agriculture, Forestry &amp; Economic Development Committee before Thursday&rsquo;s vote; the bill now heads to the Senate Agriculture, Forestry &amp; Economic Development Committee. The bill was submitted by Rep. Chad Puryear, R-Hindsville, who is a member of the House Agriculture, Forestry &amp; Economic Development Committee and was elected to the state Legislature for the first time in January, and it is co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Petty, R-Van Buren. Entities affiliated with China would essentially not be able to acquire legal title to agricultural land in Arkansas, Puryear said at a House Agriculture, Forestry and Economic Development Committee meeting on March 1.</p>

Senate Bill 81, fully amended, on libraries

<p>The Arkansas House on March 15, 2023 passed a bill intended to create a process for challenging books available to children in public and school libraries. Senate Bill 81, which also would create an offense for &ldquo;furnishing a harmful item to a minor&rdquo; and strike a defense from state law intended to protect librarians from criminal prosecution under obscenity laws, received a vote of 56 to 25 with eight members voting present. The bill returns to the Senate for concurrence with a House amendment. House sponsor Rep. Justin Gonzales, R-Okolona, said the bill would not &ldquo;send all your librarians to jail&rdquo; or create a list of banned books. For librarians to be prosecuted under the bill, Gonzales said they would have to knowingly distribute obscene material to children. Critics have said the challenge process could lead to libraries and local elected officials being hampered by costly challenges. Those against the bill have said it would invest legislative bodies with judicial power and could disproportionally affect books written by and about LGBTQ people. Parents who testified in favor of the bill have said it is needed to protect children from obscene material. Supporters also have contended more transparency is needed when it comes to decisions made by libraries on which books they carry. SB81 would require libraries to form committees to review challenges to books. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, the bill&rsquo;s sponsor in the Senate, has said these committees would be subject to open meetings laws.</p>

Justice Department disputes Proud Boys appeal

<p>The Justice Department has fired back at a bid by defense attorneys to have the seditious conspiracy case against the far-right group Proud Boys thrown out based on footage of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot aired by television personality Tucker Carlson. A lawyer for Proud Boys defendant Dominic Pezzola filed a motion to dismiss the case in early March 2023, citing Carlson&rsquo;s show as he argued prosecutors withheld surveillance footage from the riot and concocted &ldquo;a lie&rdquo; that an insurrection occurred that day in 2021. Prosecutors responded that all but 10 seconds of Capitol surveillance footage, including the clips played by Carlson, had been released to Pezzola, Chansley and all defendants in September 2021. The clips shown by Carlson &ldquo;are not exculpatory of Pezzola or any other participant in the siege of the Capitol,&rdquo; prosecutors Jason McCullough and Conor Mulroe wrote, adding, &ldquo;Once tethered to facts and reality, defendant Pezzola&rsquo;s arguments quickly unravel.&quot;</p>

Bud Walton Aren proposal

<p>Bud Walton Aren proposal</p>

Senate Bill 377 of 2023 on initiative signatures

<p>The Senate Judiciary Committee weighed into a contentious bout of Arkansas casino politics on March 15, 2023, advancing a bill that would make it a crime to destroy signatures on a ballot petition. The bill comes from the heated campaign over a proposed amendment to the state&rsquo;s constitution to revoke the gaming license for Pope County, which has become a bitter debate between two American Indian groups that had vied for the license. Senate Bill 377, sponsored by Sen. Kim Hammer, R-Benton, would make it a misdemeanor to destroy a signature, other than your own, on a ballot petition. The bill stems from incidents in which canvassers, who were paid to collect signatures to get the amendment on November&rsquo;s ballot, were threatened and harassed, they told the committee. The bill also states paying a person or accepting money to destroy ballot signatures would count as a Class A misdemeanor. The proposed legislation also concerns people known as &ldquo;blockers,&rdquo; who are hired by campaigns to convince people not to sign ballot petitions. The bill would require paid signature blockers to register with the state, just as paid canvassers are required to do.</p>

Summit customers' complaints

<p>Summit customers&#39; complaints were shared with the court.&nbsp;</p>

Senate Bill 380

<p>An act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967.</p>

Text of HB 1156 — updated 3.9.23

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Senate Bill 382

<p>An act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967.</p>

Restraining order issued in Summit case

<p>A restraining order was issued in the Summit Utilities case.&nbsp;</p>

Conway SD 4.20—USE OF BATHROOMS AFFECTED BY GENDER

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Senate Bill 381

<p>An act to amend the freedom of information act of 1967.</p>

Copy of HB 1610

<p>An act to amend the law concerning the freedom of information act of 1967</p>

Act 237 — Arkansas LEARNS Act

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Lawsuit filed regarding Act 236

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(239, 239, 239); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Lawsuit filed regarding Act 236</span></p>

An oral history project interview with Jack Holt

<p>Arkansas Supreme Court Project Arkansas Supreme Court Historical Society Interview with Jack W. Holt Jr. Little Rock, Arkansas November 1, 2012 Interviewer: Ernest Dumas</p>

Senate Bill 40 of 2023 on fentanyl test strips

<p>An Act To Amend The Law Concerning The Possession Of Fentanyl Test Strips; To Exclude Fentanyl Test Strips From The Definition Of &quot;Drug Paraphernalia&quot; Under The Uniform Controlled Substances Act; And For Other Purposes. Subtitle: To Exclude Fentanyl Test Strips From The Definition Of &quot;Drug Paraphernalia&quot; Under The Uniform Controlled Substances Act. SECTION 1. Arkansas Code &sect; 5-64-101(12), concerning the definition of &quot;drug paraphernalia&quot; under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, is amended to add an additional subdivision to read as follows: (D) &quot;Drug paraphernalia&quot; does not include a disposable, single-use test strip that can detect the presence of fentanyl or fentanyl analogs in a substance;</p>

Texas Republican Tony Gonzales censured

<p>The Texas Republican Party on Saturday, March 4, 2023 censured U.S. Representative Tony Gonzales, saying, &quot;WHEREAS, Rule 44 of the Republican Party of Texas states that &ldquo;a County or Senatorial District Convention or a County or District Executive Committee may, after notice and invitation to the officeholder to appear and be provided time to speak before a County or Senatorial Convention or a County or District Executive Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of those present and voting, but in no case by less than a majority of the County Executive Committee (CEC) in full, adopt a resolution censuring a Republican public officeholder representing all or a portion of that County or District for three (3) or more actions taken during the current biennium in opposition to the core principles of the Republican Party of Texas as defined in the Preamble of the Party Platform as described in Rule No. 43A or to the Legislative Priorities adopted at the most recent State Convention as described in Rule 34(c)&rdquo;.&quot; The resolution censuring Gonzales argued that he violated the tenets of the Republican Party of Texas by twice siding with Democrats in Congress on the &quot;Respect for Marriage Act&quot; and ignoring the core principle of &quot;self-sufficient families, founded on the traditional marriage of a natural man and a natural woman,&quot; and that in voting against the rules package proposed by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Gonzales ignored four other core principles of Texas Republicans: &ldquo;Preserving individual, Texan, and American sovereignty and freedom;&rdquo; &ldquo;Limiting government power to those items enumerated in the United States and Texas Constitutions;&rdquo; &ldquo;Personal accountability and responsibility;&rdquo; and &ldquo;A free enterprise society unencumbered by government interference or subsidies.&rdquo; </p>

Senate Bill 307 of 2023 abortion monument

<p>Arkansas state Sen. Kim Hammer, a Republican from Benton, proposes &quot;An Act To Create A Monument To The Unborn; To Create A Monument On State Capitol Grounds; To Amend The Law Concerning The Duties Of The Secretary Of State; And For Other Purposes.&quot; saying he hopes people who would see the monument would remember a chapter in the state&rsquo;s history in which &ldquo;so many babies were aborted. ... It will give us an opportunity to hopefully fight to make sure that that history is never repeated.&quot; The proposal cites the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women&rsquo;s Health Organization, which notes that &quot;abortion after quickening was a crime according to the common law of England,&quot; and says that, &quot;as a memorial to the lives lost from 1973 to 2022 due to the decisions of the United States Supreme Court, and as a constant reminder of our duty to protect the life of every innocent human person, no matter how young or old, or how helpless and vulnerable that person may be, it is the intent of the General Assembly of the State of Arkansas to enact the Monument to Unborn Children Display Act, &sect; 22-3-223, and the Monument to Unborn Children Display Fund.&quot; The Arkansas secretary of state is allowed to collect donations for the monument and to find a suitable place for its display.</p>

House Bill 1365 of 2023 on catalytic converter theft

<p>House Bill 1365 aims to make the &ldquo;unauthorized possession of a catalytic converter&rdquo; a felony and increase penalties for the theft of a catalytic converter. Arkansas state Rep. Mike Holcomb, a Republican from Pine Bluff, said the measure was needed to address the widespread theft of catalytic converters from vehicles. Holcomb said he met with stakeholders, including representatives of scrap metal recyclers, county officials and law enforcement officers, to create the bill, which would allow a person to be charged with a crime if he or she knowingly &ldquo;possess a catalytic converter that has been removed from a motor vehicle and that is not permanently marked.&rdquo; The measure would not apply if the person is the owner of the vehicle from which the converter was removed or possess the converter in the &ldquo;ordinary course&rdquo; of their business.</p>

Senate Bill 197 of 2023 on short term rentals

<p>Senate Bill 197 of 2023, &quot;An Act To Prohibit Certain Restrictions On The Regulation Of Short-term Rentals; And For Other Purposes,&quot; states that Arkansans have a constitutional right to use their property without intrusion by the government: &quot;Local governments often hold back tourism and infringe on property owners&#39; private property rights in this state by passing ordinances that inhibit property owners&#39; right to use their property as they see fit.&quot; However, it noted that local government may enforce an ordinance that requires applicants to obtain a permit at no cost prior to their operation of a short-term rental. The measure is designed to prohibit regulations on short-term property rentals through services such as Airbnb and Vrbo.</p>

Little Rock ordinance on short-term rentals

<p>A 2023 draft ordinance under consideration by the Little Rock Board of DIrectors would define short-term property rentals through Airbnb or Vrbo the same way as bed-and-breakfasts. Per the ordinance: &quot;There is hereby levied a tax of 4% upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived and received from the renting, leasing or otherwise furnishing of hotel, motel, house, cabin, bed and breakfast, campground, condominium, or apartment accommodations, or other similar rental accommodations for sleeping, meeting, or party or banquet use for profit in the city, provided that such levy shall not apply to the rental or leasing of such accommodations for a period of thirty (30) days or more; and Be amended to read as follows: There is hereby levied a tax of 4% upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived and received from the renting, leasing or otherwise furnishing of hotel, motel, house, cabin, bed and breakfast, Short-Term Rentals, campground, condominium, or apartment accommodations, or other similar rental accommodations for sleeping, meeting, or party or banquet use for profit in the city, provided that such levy shall not apply to the rental or leasing of such accommodations for a period of thirty (30) days or more.&quot;</p>

Arizona 2020 election review summary

<p>A March 2022 summary of investigative findings into the 2020 election in Arizona was never released by Attorney General Mark Brnovich, according to his successor, Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes. The summary here <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">ruled out most of the fraud claims spread by allies and supporters of former President Donald Trump, and refuted various allegations made in forensic reports produced by Cyber Ninja after the election.</span></p>

Sam Bankman-Fried superseding indictment

<p>FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried faced new fraud charges Thursday, February 23, 2023, as prosecutors accused him of cheating thousands of investors out of billions of dollars while casting himself as a trustworthy &ldquo;savior of the cryptocurrency industry&rdquo; &mdash; an image boosted by celebrity-studded Super Bowl advertising and big donations to political figures. Four new charges, including securities fraud and conspiracy fraud counts, were unveiled with the unsealing of the refreshed indictment in Manhattan federal court that was returned a day earlier. Prosecutors said Bankman-Fried, popularly called SBF, cast himself as a &ldquo;figurehead of a trustworthy and law-abiding segment of the cryptocurrency industry&rdquo; that sought to protect investors and clients. &ldquo;As recently as late 2022, Bankman-Fried boasted about FTX&rsquo;s profits and portrayed himself as a savior of the cryptocurrency industry, making venture investments and acquisitions purportedly to assist struggling industry participants,&rdquo; the new indictment says.</p>

Arizona AG Brnovich letter to Karen Fann

<p>In an April 2022 &quot;interim report&quot; to Karen Fann, then-Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich claimed that his investigation &ldquo;revealed serious vulnerabilities that must be addressed and raises questions about the 2020 election in Arizona,&rdquo; adding, &quot;This is a crisis that should be addressed immediately.&quot; Brnovich&#39;s Democratic successor released documents in February 2023 that suggest Brnovich had a report establishing that the election was actually conducted largely without incident.</p>

Council member Frazier to Pine Bluff mayor Washington

<p>Pine Bluff City Council Member Lanette Frazier has accused fellow Pine Bluff Ward 3 Council Member Glen Brown Sr. of verbally attacking and &ldquo;aggressively&rdquo; approaching her and invading her personal space after a special called City Council meeting February 7, 2023. Frazier documented her allegations against Brown in a letter addressed to Mayor Shirley Washington dated Feb. 10 and also forwarded to Pine Bluff Police Chief Denise Richardson. &ldquo;On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, after the Special Call[ed] City Council meeting, I was verbally attacked and aggressively approached by Council Member Glen Brown Sr.,&rdquo; Frazier said at the beginning of her letter. &ldquo;He invaded my personal space and got into my face stating that &lsquo;he knows that I am going to vote for anything Go Forward.&rsquo; I responded to Council Member Brown Sr. that I did not want to hear it and to leave me alone.&rdquo; Frazier alleged in the letter that Brown continued to follow her and told her: &ldquo;be quiet,&rdquo; adding &ldquo;that everyone did not need to hear what he was saying to me.&quot; adding, &quot;Council Member Brown Sr. continued to follow me to the point of physically bumping up against me ranting his point of view. ... As I continued to walk to my car, Council Member Brown Sr. stated that &lsquo;he knew that I got paid by Go Forward because [another city council candidate] told him that he received a check and that he was mad because you received a check too.&rdquo;</p>

House Bill 1370 of 2023

<p>Solar-power advocates and Arkansas&rsquo; largest utilities, continuing a four-year battle over compensation for implementing the alternative-energy source, clashed again Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at the state Capitol over legislation that would reduce reimbursements for solar users. House Bill 1370, presented to the House Insurance &amp; Commerce Committee in a daylong hearing, was developed &ldquo;to prevent cost-shifting and ensure fairness to all ratepayers&rdquo; by reducing compensation to solar users for the excess power they generate and return to electric grids &mdash; electricity that is then distributed to utility customers across the state. &ldquo;This bill creates a level playing field for all electric customers in the state of Arkansas,&rdquo; said Rep. Lanny Fite, R-Benton, a sponsor of the legislation along with Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe. &ldquo;There is a cost shift and that&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re here today.&rdquo; The bill&rsquo;s supporters, generally the state&rsquo;s largest electric utilities, contend that cost shifting is occurring because solar users do not pay the same costs to maintain and improve the electric grid as do customers who rely solely on the utilities to supply power. In effect, they argue net-metering compensation acts as a subsidy for solar customers. HB1370 would lower that compensation to wholesale rates the utilities pay other power providers &mdash; a difference of about 5 cents per kilowatt hour. Retail rates mean the utilities pay one-to-one compensation to solar users, who are credited at the same amount the electric providers charge to deliver power to homes and businesses. The policy is commonly known as net-metering. Entergy Arkansas says the current retail rate is about 11 cents and wholesale ranges from 4 to 6 cents.</p>

SB 294

<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica; min-height: 14.0px;">AN ACT TO CREATE THE LEARNS ACT; TO AMEND VARIOUS PROVISIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE AS THEY RELATE TO EARLY CHILDHOOD THROUGH GRADE TWELVE (12) EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.&nbsp;</p>

Arkansas Senate Bill 81 of 2023 on libraries

<p>Arkansas state Sen. Dan Sullivan, Republican from Jonesboro, has amended a bill he filed in January 2023 that created an uproar among librarians across the state. Senate Bill 81 is titled &quot;To amend the law concerning libraries and obscene materials; to create the offense of furnishing a harmful item to a minor; and to amend the law concerning obscene materials loaned by a library,&quot; and the amendments ensure that the bill applies to physical materials contained within the library. The proposal also establishes that a parent or guardian of a minor can retrieve that minor&#39;s library records.</p>

House Oversight letter on Afghanistan withdrawal

<p>In a letter sent to Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III and to Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the House Oversight Committee led by James Comer, R-Kentucky, writes, &quot;The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is continuing to investigate the Biden Administration&rsquo;s 2021 Afghanistan evacuation. After more than $2 trillion spent on the war and reconstruction efforts, Americans deserve answers and have received few from the Biden Administration. You were at the center of planning the withdrawal and evacuation and advised President Biden on decisions that amounted to tactical and strategic failures. The Committee requests documents regarding this series of costly and deadly failures in Afghanistan.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

Rick Scott 11-point GOP policy plan

<p>In his &quot;11 Point Plan to Rescue America&quot; from 2022, before the midterm elections, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, writes, &quot;The militant left now controls the entire federal government, the news media, academia, Hollywood, and most corporate boardrooms &ndash; but they want more. They are redefining America and silencing their opponents. Among the things they plan to change or destroy are: American history, patriotism, border security, the nuclear family, gender, traditional morality, capitalism, fiscal responsibility, opportunity, rugged individualism, Judeo-Christian values, dissent, free speech, color blindness, law enforcement, religious liberty, parental involvement in public schools, and private ownership of firearms. Is this the beginning of the end of America? Only if we allow it to be.&quot; The plan became more controversial in 2023 because of the &quot;government reform&quot; provision that &quot;All federal legislation sunsets in 5 years. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again,&quot; which was interpreted to be a way to cut or end Medicare and Social Security.</p>

Dominion lawsuit against Fox News

<p>Private exchanges between Fox News hosts Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham and other network bigwigs &mdash; including the chairman of Fox Corp., Rupert Murdoch &mdash; show a wide chasm between what the network promoted in prime time and the doubts its stars held behind the camera, according to new court filings in a defamation lawsuit being waged by Dominion Voting Systems, a company whose voting systems were regularly maligned on air.</p>

SB270 of 2023 on transgender bathroom use

<p>Arkansas state Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, filed a bill Wednesday, February 15, 2023 to make it a misdemeanor if an adult uses a restroom designated for the opposite biological sex if a minor is inside. Senate Bill 270 would make it a misdemeanor if an adult &ldquo;enters into or remains in a public changing facility that is assigned to persons of the opposite sex while knowing a minor of the opposite sex is present in the public changing facility.&rdquo; The bill would apply to places where &ldquo;a person may be in a state of undress in the presence of other persons,&rdquo; such as a locker room. The bill would not apply to private changing rooms at clothing stores. The bill defines &quot;sex&quot; as &quot;a person&#39;s immutable biological sex as objectively determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth.&quot;</p>

Grand jury report 2.16.23

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Arkansas sues EPA over rejecting air quality rule

<p>Arkansas filed a lawsuit Thursday, February 16, 2023 challenging the Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo;s decision to reject its plan to comply with federal rules that are supposed to assure that the state&rsquo;s coal-fired power plants and industrial sites don&rsquo;t pollute the air in other states. The state filed a petition with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over the EPA disapproving the state&rsquo;s plan to meet the &ldquo;good neighbor&rdquo; obligations under the Clean Air Act. The EPA rejected plans from Arkansas and 18 other states this week.</p>

Senate Bill 260 of 2023 on ballot initiatives

<p>An Arkansas Senate committee on Thursday, February 16, 2023 endorsed a bill that would require the sponsors of proposed ballot measures to collect sufficient signatures of registered voters from at least 50 counties, up from the current requirement of 15 counties, to qualify their measures for the ballot. Senate Bill 260 would also increase the number of signatures of registered voters required from these counties from one-half to third-fourths of the designated percentage of registered voters who cast ballots in the previous gubernatorial election.</p>

CBO visual summary, 2023-2033

<p>&quot;In this report, the Congressional Budget Office describes its projections of the federal budget and the U.S. economy under current law for this year and the decade that follows. The deficit is projected to total $1.4 trillion in 2023; annual deficits average $2.0 trillion over the 2024&ndash;2033 period. CBO expects economic growth to stagnate and inflation to slow in 2023 in response to the sharp rise in interest rates during 2022. After that, in CBO&rsquo;s projections, output grows at a more robust pace as inflation continues to decline toward the Federal Reserve&rsquo;s long-run goal of 2 percent. In CBO&rsquo;s projections, the deficit amounts to 5.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023. (Deficits and spending have been adjusted to exclude the effects of shifts that occur in the timing of certain payments when October 1 falls on a weekend.) Deficits fluctuate over the next four years, averaging 5.8 percent of GDP. Starting in 2028, they grow steadily; the projected shortfall in 2033 is 6.9 percent of GDP&mdash;significantly larger than the 3.6 percent of GDP that deficits have averaged over the past 50 years.&quot;</p>

Copy of Senate Bill 262

<p>To amend the public education reorganization act</p>

House Bill 1399

<p>To amend the law regarding publication requirements for counties and municipalities; to amend the law concerning elections; and to amend the law concerning tax delinquency lists.</p>

Florida College Board responds to DeSantis

<p>In January 2023, the Florida Department of Education rejected an Advanced Placement African American Studies course, saying in a letter to the College Board that the course is &ldquo;inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value,&rdquo; adding, &quot;In the future, should College Board be willing to come back to the table with lawful, historically accurate content, FDOE will always be willing to reopen the discussion.&quot; The College Board responds in this memo, saying its members &quot;deeply regret not immediately denouncing the Florida Department of Education&rsquo;s slander, magnified by the DeSantis administration&rsquo;s subsequent comments,&quot; adding, &quot;Our failure to raise our voice betrayed Black scholars everywhere and those who have long toiled to build this remarkable field. We should have made clear that the framework is only the outline of the course, still to be populated by the scholarly articles, video lectures, and practice questions that we assemble and make available to all AP teachers in the summer for free and easy assignment to their students. This error triggered a conversation about erasing or eliminating Black thinkers. The vitriol aimed at these scholars is repulsive and must stop.&quot;</p>

Arkansas Education Statistics Report 2021-2022

<p>The average per pupil expenditure in Arkansas&rsquo; traditional school districts was $1,203 in the last fully completed 2021-22 school year, according to the Annual Statistical Report approved in February 2023 by the Arkansas Board of Education. The average salary for non-federally funded classroom teachers was $53,416 and for all state-licensed educators &mdash; excluding those paid with federal money &mdash; the average was $56,181. The salary information and other data about the revenue and expenditures of individual districts, along with statewide totals, make up the 402-page report.</p>

Arkansas LEARNS description

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Report from Forward Arkansas

<p>Report from Forward Arkansas.</p>

Americans for Prosperity 2024 memo

<p>In an internal memo to Americans for Prosperity and <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Americans for Prosperity</span> Action, Emily Seidel, CEO of Americans for Prosperity, writes that the United States &quot;must move past the current political situation &ndash; we&rsquo;ve got to turn the page on the past several years&quot; in what was seen as a implied rebuke of former President Donald Trump. Seidel adds, &quot;The best thing for the country would be to have a president in 2025 who represents a new chapter. The American people have shown that they&rsquo;re ready to move on, and so AFP will help them do that. It looks like the Democrats have already chosen their path for the presidential &ndash; so there&rsquo;s no opportunity to have a positive impact there. But AFP Action is prepared to support a candidate in the Republican presidential primary who can lead our country forward, and who can win.&quot;</p>

Public defender objection court filing

<p>State of Arkansas vs Justin Davis</p>

Public defender letter

<p>Public defender letter to Gov. Sanders.</p>

Hiring freeze memorandum

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'ArialMT';">While the hiring freeze is in effect, state agencies are prohibited from filling a vacant position that existed on or after January 10, 2023, unless the position is exempted, or the state entity submits a request to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and receives approval to fill the position.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Copy of HB1127

<p>To create the rural emergency hospital act.</p>

Revised AP Black History course

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Revised AP Black History course.</span></p>

Senate Bill 125 on public college classroom speech

<p>Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, withdrew his bill that he said<span style="background-color: transparent;">&nbsp;was aimed at extending campus First Amendment protections to inside classrooms at public colleges.&nbsp;</span>Sullivan, whose Senate district is home to Arkansas State University&rsquo;s campus in Jonesboro, decided to withdraw his bill before the committee could vote on it, sensing it was likely to fail. Sullivan contended the bill only allows for brief and nonviolent disruptions inside campus buildings, but opponents worried that the bill would allow for protests and disruptions in class. Sullivan also wanted to preempt any campus speech code that would &quot;mandate the use of specific words, including without limitation pronouns,&quot; targeting transgender and nonbinary students. He said it would protect the free expression of students who misgender their classmates, but also students who wanted to dress in drag.&nbsp;</p>

Senate Bill 43

<p>To classify a drag performance as an adult-oriented business; and to add additional location restrictions to an adult-oriented business.</p>

House Bill 1156

<p>Concerning a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school policy relating to a public school student&#39;s sex.</p>

Senate Bill 138

<p>To repeal the licensing requirement of clinics and health centers in which a pregnancy of a woman known to be pregnant is willfully terminated or aborted.</p>

Senate Bill 43 amendment

<div title="Page 1">Hall of the House of Representatives &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Copy of House Bill 1156

<p>Concerning a public school district or open-enrollment public charter school policy relating to a public school student&#39;s sex.</p>

Copy of Senate Bill 66

<p>To create the protection of minors from distribution of harmful material act.</p>

African American Studies - PILOT COURSE GUIDE

<p>African American studies</p>

Copy of Senate Bill 71

<p>To prohibit discrimination or preferential treatment by the state of Arkansas and other public entities.</p>

Copy of HB1125

<p>To prohibit a registered sex offender from purchasing, owning, possessing, using, or operating an unmanned aircraft for private use.</p>

Copy of HB 1320

<p>To amend the law concerning initiative petitions and referendum petitions; and to require the attorney general to review an initiative petition or referendum petition before circulation.&nbsp;</p>

Minihan memo on possible war with China

<p>China could be at war with the United States in 2025, a top Air Force general predicted in a memo to troops under his command, asserting a significantly shorter timeline before potential conflict than any other senior U.S. defense official to date. Gen. Michael Minihan, who as head of Air Mobility Command oversees the service&rsquo;s fleet of transport and refueling aircraft, warned personnel to speed their preparations for a potential conflict, citing Chinese President Xi Jinping&rsquo;s aspirations and the possibility that Americans will not be paying attention until it is too late. &ldquo;I hope I am wrong,&rdquo; Minihan wrote in the memo, future-dated February 1, 2023. &ldquo;My gut tells me we will fight in 2025. Xi secured his third term and set his war council in October 2022. Taiwan&rsquo;s presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a reason. United States&rsquo; presidential elections are in 2024 and will offer Xi a distracted America. Xi&rsquo;s team, reason, and opportunity are all aligned for 2025.&rdquo;</p>

Financial plan for Jackson, Mississippi water

<p>The interim manager appointed by the U.S. Justice Department to fix the troubled water system in Mississippi&rsquo;s capital city released a new financial plan Friday, January 27, 2023 to change the way Jackson bills for water and spend hundreds of millions of federal relief funds paying down the system&rsquo;s debt. The plan would relieve the water system of its debt and introduce a new billing model that would become effective in the budget year that begins Oct. 1. The proposed reforms would allow Jackson to pay for the costs of improving and operating a water system that is in such disrepair it could fail again at any moment, said Ted Henifin, the interim water manager. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve got to tell you, I could walk out of here right now and lose the system. It&rsquo;s that tenuous,&rdquo; Henifin said at a Friday news conference. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve done a lot to improve this system, but it might fail tomorrow.&rdquo; The plan would change the way Jackson issues fees for water use. Water fees would be capped at $150 per month for homes with a value of $160,000 or more. Bills for commercial and other properties would be capped at $600 a month. This is part of Henifin&rsquo;s proposed solution to a loss of revenue Jackson has experienced as its tax base eroded over the past few decades.</p>

Pope Francis letter clarifying homosexuality stance

<p>The Rev. James Martin, an American Jesuit who runs the U.S.-based Outreach ministry for LGBTQ Catholics, asked Pope Francis for clarification on comments in which he said that homosexuality is not a crime. In the pope&rsquo;s handwritten response on the Outreach website late Friday, January 27, 2023, Francis reaffirmed that homosexuality &ldquo;is not a crime,&rdquo; and said he spoke out &ldquo;in order to stress that criminalization is neither good nor just. When I said it is a sin, I was simply referring to Catholic moral teaching, which says that every sexual act outside of marriage is a sin&quot; -- with &quot;every sexual act outside of marriage&quot; underlined. &quot;Of course, one must also consider the circumstances, which may decrease or eliminate fault. As you can see, I was repeating something in general. I should have said &#39;It is a sin, as is any sexual act outside of marriage.&#39; This is to speak of &#39;the matter&#39; of sin, but we know well that Catholic morality not only takes into consideration the matter, but also evaluates freedom and intention; and this, for every kind of sin. And I would tell whoever wants to criminalize homosexuality that they are wrong.&quot;</p>

Arkansas Supreme Court on mask mandates

<p>Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Robin Wynne writes: &quot;The State of Arkansas appeals from an order of the Pulaski County Circuit Court declaring Act 1002 of 2021 unconstitutional and permanently enjoining its enforcement. Because the circuit court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction to enter the order, we vacate the order and dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. In April 2021, the Arkansas General Assembly passed Act 1002 of 2021, codified at Arkansas Code Annotated section 20-7-144 (Supp. 2021), which prohibits state agencies, political subdivisions of the state, and state and local officials from mandating the use of face masks, face shields, or other face coverings.&quot; Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders praised the ruling, saying it was a &quot;promising first step&quot; in forbidding mask mandates in the state: &quot;I promised that when I was elected, Arkansas would not have mask or COVID-19 vaccine mandates and we would not shut down churches and schools because we believe in personal freedom and responsibility.&quot;</p>

Little Rock 2023 tourism master plan

<p>The goal of this Tourism Master Plan is to combine a vision for the future with actionable strategies to build a roadmap for Little Rock&rsquo;s tourism industry over the next 10 years.</p>

Charging documents in Wyoming crash that killed Sylvan Hills group

<p>Documents filed Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in Carbon County, Wyoming, Circuit Court have Arthur Andrew Nelson facing 11 counts, including six felonies, for starting the chain of events that led to the collision deaths of Susana &ldquo;Suzy&rdquo; Prime, 18; Ava Luplow, 18; Andrea Prime, 23; Salomon Correa, 21; and Maggie Franco, 20, all current or former students of Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, and all attached to Faith Bible Fellowship Church in North Little Rock.</p>

Natural State Initiative

<p>Executive order to establish the Natural State Initiative.&nbsp;</p>

Gov. Sanders parental choice proclamation

<p>Proclamation on Arkansas Parental Choice Week</p>

Copy of the House joint resolution

<p>A constitutional amendment concerning the salaries of elected constitutional officers of the executive department, members of the general assembly, supreme court justices, court of appeal judges, and prosecuting attorneys.</p>

Carpenter memo on Kenyan Lowe at MHA

<p>Thomas &quot;Tom&quot; Carpenter, city attorney for Little Rock, writes to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and members of the city Board of Directors that Kenyon Lowe cannot be nominated for another term as head of the Metropolitan Housing Authority because the Board of Directors had already rejected his nomination. In a memo dated January 16, 2023, Carpenter says that statutes plainly state that if an appointment is rejected, commissioners must nominate another person.</p>

Chief Justice Roberts Little Rock Central report

<p>In Chief Justice John Roberts&#39; 2022 Year-End Report on the Federal Judiciary, he discusses plans to restore the judge&#39;s bench used during arguments before U.S. District Judge Ronald N. Davies over desegregation in Little Rock: &quot;The little Auxiliary Courtroom where Judge Davies had presided was decommissioned as part of a courthouse renovation. This past year, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas worked with the General Services Administration &mdash; which manages government real estate nationwide &mdash; to recover the judge&rsquo;s bench and other original courtroom furnishings. The District Court and GSA are, together, refurbishing an era-faithful courtroom in the working part of what is today the Richard Sheppard Arnold U.S. Courthouse so that these important artifacts will be used to hold court once again, and also for programs about the events of 1957 and the rule of law in our country.&quot;</p>

Supreme Court report on Dobbs leak

<p>The Supreme Court, in a January 19, 2023 statement on the investigation into &quot;one of the worst breaches of trust in its history,&quot; the <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">May 2022 leak of the opinion overturning Roe v. Wade, says a team &quot;</span>has to date been unable to identify a person responsible by a preponderance of the evidence&quot; for the leak: &quot;The Chief Justice assigned the task to the Marshal of the Supreme Court and her staff. After months of diligent analysis of forensic evidence and interviews of almost 100 employees, the Marshal&rsquo;s team determined that no further investigation was warranted with respect to many of the &#39;82 employees [who] had access to electronic or hard copies of the draft opinion.&#39;&quot;</p>

Arkansas House Bill 1159 to ban police academy hazing

<p>Arkansas House Bill 1159 of the 2023 legislative session, &quot;An act to prohibit hazing at the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy; to define hazing; to establish penalties for hazing; and for other purposes,&quot; subtitled, &quot;To prohibit hazing at the <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy</span>; to define hazing; and to establish penalties for hazing,&quot; was drafted in response to the training death of Jonesboro Police Officer Vincent Parks, but it was pulled after assurances were received from the Department of Safety that hazing measures will be included in the training manual.</p>

Yellen updates McCarthy on debt limit

<p>Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Thursday, January 19, 2023, writes again to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to warn him of the &quot;extraordinary measures&quot; being taken because the government has reached its debt limit, after notifying him almost a week earlier that the limit would be reached on that date. &quot;As I stated in my January 13 letter, the period of time that extraordinary measures may last is subject to considerable uncertainty, including the challenges of forecasting the payments and receipts of the U.S. Government months into the future. I respectfully urge Congress to act promptly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States.&quot;</p><p><br></p>

Text of Senate Bill 43

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Executive summary

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPS'; font-weight: 700;">Creating Affordable Housing for the Chronically Unhoused in Pulaski County.</span></div>

Community Village FAQ

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">Pulaski County seeks to provide a community for chronically homeless in Pulaski County.</span><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</div>

Copy of Senate Bill 66

<div title="Page 1"><p>To create the protection of minors from distribution of harmful material act; To establish liability for the publication or distribution of material harmful to minors on the internet; And to require reasonable age verification.</p></div>

Copy of Senate Bill 62

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Prestige';">TO PROHIBIT PUBLIC ENTITIES FROM CONTRACTING WITH COMPANIES THAT BOYCOTT &nbsp;ENERGY, FOSSIL FUEL, FIREARMS, AND AMMUNITION INDUSTRIES.<br></span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

House Bill 1018

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Prestige';">TO ALLOW MEMBERS OF A MUNICIPAL FIRE DEPARTMENT BOMB SQUAD TO MAKE ARRESTS AND LAWFULLY CARRY A WEAPON IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p><br></p>

Text of HB 1156

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Comer to Klain on Biden classified documents

<p>In a letter dated January 15, 2023, U.S. Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, writes to White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain that the committee is &quot;continuing to investigate President Biden&rsquo;s mishandling of highly classified documents,&quot; arguing that the six-year period in which they were stored at his home raises questions &quot;about who may have reviewed or had access to classified information. Additionally, President Biden&rsquo;s personal attorneys, who do not possess security clearances, and White House staff continue to access and search the President&rsquo;s residence in Wilmington, Delaware for classified documents. Given the serious national security implications, the White House must provide the Wilmington residence&rsquo;s visitor log. As Chief of Staff, you are head of the Executive Office of the President and bear responsibility to be transparent with the American people on these important issues related to the White House&rsquo;s handling of this matter.&quot; The letter then asks for Klain to provide &quot;All documents and communications related to the searches of President Biden&rsquo;s home(s) and other locations by Biden aides for classified documents&mdash;including but not limited to the dates of the searches and identity of the aides; and the visitor log of President Biden&rsquo;s Wilmington, Delaware home from January 20, 2021 to present.&quot;</p>

Findings, conclusions in Pope County casino case

<p>Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law in Pope County casino case involving Gulfside Casino Partnership, Arkansas Racing Commission, Cherokee Nation Businesses, Legends Resort and Casino, and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma</p>

Yellen letter to McCarthy on debt limit

<p>Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen writes Friday, January 13, 2023 to House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to say that the statutory debt limit of the United States would be reached the following Thursday, January 19.</p>

Sanders repeals covid executive orders

<p>On January 13, 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders repealed five executive orders on the covid-19 pandemic issued by the Hutchinson administration, disbanding the Arkansas Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act Steering Committee; the Governor&#39;s Medical Advisory Committee for Post-Peak COVID-19 Response; the Governor&rsquo;s COVID-19 Testing Advisory Group; the Governor&rsquo;s COVID-19 Technical Advisory Board; and the Governor&rsquo;s COVID-19 Winter Task Force. Sanders noted that &quot;In an appearance on CBS&rsquo; &ldquo;60 Minutes&rdquo; on September 18, 2022, President Joe Biden said the &ldquo;pandemic is over;&rdquo; the first case of COVID-19 was identified more than three years ago, and it is time for Arkansas&mdash;and America&mdash;to get back to normal; and it is the position of this administration to begin prioritizing and promoting other public health challenges.&quot;</p>

Order in Pope County casino case

<p>Order in Pope County casino case involving Gulfside Casino Partnership, Arkansas Racing Commission, Cherokee Nation Businesses, Legends Resort and Casino, and Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma</p>

Little Rock sued over Confederate statue

<p>The lawsuit James Frank Clark III vs. City of Little Rock, which calls for the restoration of a Confederate monument in Little Rock, says, in part, &quot;The Capitol Guards Monument, more formally known as the Memorial to Company A, Capitol Guards, was a Civil War memorial located at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History at MacArthur Park in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas. The MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History at MacArthur Park was created to honor our State&rsquo;s military heritage and to preserve the contributions of Arkansas men and women who served in the armed forces. The Monument stood just northeast of the building formerly known as the Tower Building of the Little Rock Arsenal and consisted of a bronze statute which depicted a Confederate Soldier and was mounted on a granite column. This historical monument was installed in 1911 and dedicated during the 1911 United Confederate Veterans Reunion. ... It is part of the history of Arkansas and is considered an historical monument under Act 1003 of 2021.&quot;</p>

Executive Order To Prioritize L.E.A.R.N.S.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PRIORITIZE L.E.A.R.N.S. (LITERACY, EMPOWERMENT, ACCOUNTABILITY, READINESS, NETWORKING, AND SCHOOL SAFETY)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;background-color:transparent;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre;white-space:pre-wrap;">WHEREAS: &nbsp; Every Arkansas child should have access to a quality education, a good-paying job, and a better life&mdash;right here&mdash;in Arkansas;</span></p>

An executive order to reduce government rules and regulations

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Sanders' remarks to Legislature

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Sanders' inaugural address

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

An executive order to reduce government rules and regulations

<p>&lt;br&gt;&lt;/br&gt;</p>

Senate Bill 43 draft bill

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 10.000000pt; font-family: 'Prestige';">An act to classify a drag performance as an adult-oriented business; and to add additional location restrictions to an adult-oriented business.&nbsp;</span></div>

Texas Gov. Abbott's letter to Biden on border crisis

<p>In a letter that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott handed to President Joe Biden on the president&#39;s January 2023 visit to the border, Abbott writes, &quot;Dear President Biden: Your visit to our southern border with Mexico today is $20 billion too little and two years too late. Moreover, your visit avoids the sites where mass illegal immigration occurs and sidesteps the thousands of angry Texas property owners whose lives have been destroyed by your border policies. Even the city you visit has been sanitized of the migrant camps which had overrun downtown El Paso because your Administration wants to shield you from the chaos that Texans experience on a daily basis. This chaos is the direct result of your failure to enforce the immigration laws that Congress enacted. Under President Trump, the federal government achieved historically low levels of illegal immigration. Under your watch, by contrast, America is suffering the worst illegal immigration in the history of our country. Your open-border policies have emboldened the cartels, who grow wealthy by trafficking deadly fentanyl and even human beings. Texans are paying an especially high price for your failure, sometimes with their very lives, as local leaders from your own party will tell you if given the chance. All of this is happening because you have violated your constitutional obligation to defend the States against invasion through faithful execution of federal laws. Halfway through your presidency, though, I can finally welcome you to the border,&quot; then offers advice for Biden for &quot;when you finish the photo-ops in a carefully stage-managed version of El Paso.&quot;</p>

University of Texas to Patrick on critical race theory

<p>In response to Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick&#39;s call for higher education institutions not to teach critical race theory, faculty members at the University of Texas passed a resolution stating, in part, &quot;Whereas educating about systemic barriers to realizing a multiracial democracy based on race or gender should be understood as central to the active and engaged pursuit of knowledge in the 21st century to produce engaged and informed citizens ... whereas the University of Texas at Austin declares that &ldquo;diverse people and ideas&rdquo; are central to the core values of the institution along with &ldquo;learning,&rdquo; &ldquo;discovery,&rdquo; and &ldquo;freedom&rdquo;; whereas in a nation that has for centuries struggled with issues of racial inequity and injustice, many students do not have adequate knowledge of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ history and the policies that contributed to inequities, the University of Texas at Austin has a responsibility and opportunity to help build equity and social justice. Resolution: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Faculty Council resolutely rejects any attempts by bodies external to the faculty to restrict or dictate the content of university curriculum on any matter, including matters related to racial and social justice, and will stand firm against any and all encroachment on faculty authority including by the legislature or the Board of Regents. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Faculty Council stands with our K-12 colleagues throughout the country who may be affected by this kind of pernicious legislation when they seek to teach the truth in U.S. history and civics education.&quot;</p>

DeSantis mobilizes National Guard for Cuban migrants

<p>Saying that he was following up on a September 28, 2021 executive order &quot;directing state law enforcement agencies and other state agencies to take necessary actions to protect Floridians from the dangerous impacts of the Biden Border Crisis,&quot; Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issues an executive order for the Adjutant General to activate the Florida National Guard, as needed, to deal with this emergency.&quot;</p>

The fentanyl bill proposed for the 2023 state legislative session

<p>AN ACT TO AMEND PENALTIES FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING FENTANYL; TO ENHANCE SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES INVOLVING FENTANYL; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.</p>

Report from the Joint Committee on Taxation

<p>Report from the Joint Committee on Taxation</p>

Lake election claims dismissed in Arizona

<p>A judge has thrown out Republican Kari Lake&rsquo;s challenge of her defeat in the Arizona governor&rsquo;s race to Democrat Katie Hobbs, rejecting her claim that problems with ballot printers at some polling places on Election Day were the result of intentional misconduct. In a decision Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, Maricopa County Superior Judge Peter Thompson found that the court did not find clear and convincing evidence of the widespread misconduct that Lake alleged had affected the result of the 2022 general election. The judge said Lake&rsquo;s witnesses did not have any personal knowledge of intentional misconduct, and &ldquo;The Court cannot accept speculation or conjecture in place of clear and convincing evidence.&rdquo;&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Lake will appeal the ruling, she said in a statement.</span>&nbsp;</p>

Stacey Witherell memo on Tom Carpenter

<p>The human resources director at the city of Little Rock told the mayor and his chief of staff that the use of a racial slur in any context was prohibited by the city&rsquo;s disciplinary action policy after an employee claimed City Attorney Tom Carpenter used a racial slur, records show. In an email, Little Rock Chief People Officer Stacey Witherell went on to suggest that certain behaviors by supervisors and department directors could warrant termination instead of the 20-day workday suspension city policy called for upon a first offense. Witherell sent the email to Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and his chief of staff, Kendra Pruitt, on Sept. 27, one day after Witherell learned that Samantha Wilson &mdash; then an Arkansas Freedom of Information Act coordinator assigned to the city attorney&rsquo;s office &mdash; claimed Carpenter said a racial slur in conversation, according to a separate Sept. 27 memo from Witherell addressed to Scott and City Manager Bruce Moore.</p>

The Final Report on Jan. 6, 2021

<p>Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol.</p>

Voting lawsuit

<div title="Page 1"><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'Century';">Action regarding the use of Election Systems and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'Century';">Software, LLC, (ESS) voting machines in Arkansas elections.<br></span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

U.S. priest defrocked by Vatican

<p>Archbishop Christophe Pierre writes, &quot;Rev. Frank Pavone, the founder of the organization Priests for Life, Inc., was dismissed from the clerical state by the Holy See on 9 November 2022. This action was taken after Father Pavone was found guilty in canonical proceedings of blasphemous communications on social media, and of persistent disobedience of the lawful instructions ofhis diocesan bishop. Father Pavone was given ample opportunity to defend himself in the canonical proceedings, and he was also given multiple opportunities to submit himself to the authority of his diocesan bishop. It was determined that Father Pavone had no reasonable justification for his actions. Since Priests for Life, Inc. is not a Catholic organization, Mr. Pavone&rsquo;s continuing role in it as a lay person would be entirely up to the leadership of that organization.&quot;</p>

Maps of grant project areas

<p>Maps show proposed grant projects areas.</p>

TikTok Usage on State Devices

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(253, 252, 250); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">FBI Director Christopher Wray warned citizens about usage of TikTok. TikTok&rsquo;s privacy and data collection policies allow for the capture of sensitive, personally identifiable information (PII) and that data is stored in locations that could be accessed by the Government of the People&rsquo;s Republic of China for use other than permissions given by the user. In testimony before the Homeland Security Committee last month, the FBI called TikTok a risk to national security.</span></p>

Food desert working group report

<p>A Report &amp; Recommendations From The 2022 Arkansas Governor&rsquo;s Food Desert Working Group.</p>

Oppenheimer security clearance restored

<p>Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm writes, &quot;The question of whether Dr. Oppenheimer, or any other individual of that time, ought to have been eligible for access to restricted data is not one that this Department can or should attempt to answer seventy years later. Security clearance adjudication proceedings necessarily depend on sensitive judgments regarding the credibility of oral testimony and other evidence best evaluated within its own context. Therefore, we will not reconsider the substantive merits of In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Nevertheless, even with the passage of time, we can say with confidence that, in conducting the Oppenheimer proceeding, the [Atomic Energy Commission] failed to follow its own rules. We can also conclude that these failures were material to the fairness of the proceeding. There can be little question that allowing the lawyers charged with making the case for revocation to serve as assistants to the Board and to guide them through the documentary evidence for an entire week before the hearing may have colored the Board members&rsquo; perception of the issues and prevented them from entering the hearing with open minds. Further, when the matter proceeded to the AEC for final action, Dr. Oppenheimer&rsquo;s counsel was kept unaware of the actual findings and recommendations presented to the AEC by the General Manager, which differed substantially from those of the Personnel Security Board. By preventing its subject from addressing the charges made against him, the AEC undeniably compromised the effectiveness of its proceeding. These failures warrant vacating the AEC&rsquo;s order and, in the case of an active clearance seeker, would warrant a new adjudication conducted in accordance with the applicable rules. In the case of Dr. Oppenheimer there will of course be no new adjudication. Vacatur of the AEC&rsquo;s 1954 decision In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer will conclude the Department&rsquo;s actions in this matter. Pursuant to the authority vested in the Secretary of Energy to carry out the functions of the Atomic Energy Commission, I hereby order that the decision rendered on June 29, 1954, In The Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer be vacated.&quot;</p>

8th Circuit opinion 12.15.22

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

Greg Adams letter on LRSD cyber attack

<p>The Little Rock School District announced Thursday, December 15, 2022, that it has finalized a settlement to the recent cyberattack on the district&#39;s computer network systems, but it divulged no details on any ransom that might have been paid. &quot;As of today, we can report that a final agreement has been executed,&quot; said Greg Adams, who has served as the School Board president, in a letter to stakeholders that was posted on the district&#39;s website at about 8:30 p.m. Friday. &quot;We cannot share the details of this agreement but we are in the process of retrieving the data that was taken from our system. Once we have confirmation that this process is complete, we will contact every individual whose data may have been compromised and will provide credit monitoring/identity theft services to these individuals,&quot; he said.</p>

LR Superintendent statement

<div title="Page 1">Little Rock Superintendent Jermall Wright read aloud at a Dec. 5 special meeting of the Little Rock School Board about a breach of the district&#39;s information network and what was an undisclosed Nov. 21 meeting of the school board on the matter.</div>

2022 Arkansas Women's Commission Report

<p>&quot;<span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">The most significant findings of the 2022 Arkansas Women&rsquo;s Commission are not revelatory: Women in Arkansas continue to bear the greatest burden of family care, which includes child and elder care, and COVID-19 further brought this open secret into stark relief. The Commission&rsquo;s recommendations are equally unsurprising. There is not much about reducing the barriers to women in Arkansas &ndash; in wages, in professional advancement, in access to child care, or in terms of access to health care &ndash; that is novel. What deserves continued vigilance is working together to address them.&quot;</span></p>

Rache Bader Investigation Report

<p>Rachel Bader has alleged that a hostile work environment was made by the former director of air service development at Clinton National. But her claims were not substantiated, according to a memo authored by the airport&rsquo;s H.R. director.</p>

Facebook Metaverse policy approach

<p>Facebook parent Meta Platforms is urging policymakers to pause creating new rules governing the so-called metaverse. In a policy paper released Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, Meta argues that many of the world&rsquo;s existing laws and regulations will also apply to activity in the metaverse &mdash; a catch-all term that refers to an immersive virtual world that doesn&rsquo;t yet exist in which users could someday work, play games, shop and interact. The paper Friday is an effort by Meta to shape future legislation impacting the metaverse, a technology so central to the company&rsquo;s mission that it rebranded to &ldquo;Meta Platforms Inc.&rdquo; from &ldquo;Facebook Inc.&rdquo; last year.</p>

Bartley letters Arkansas Museum Fine Arts

<p>A gallery in the new Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts building will be named for Jeannette Edris Rockefeller, a museum benefactor and former Arkansas first lady, said Harriet and Warren Stephens, co-chairs of the museum&rsquo;s capital campaign. Winthrop and Jeannette Rockefeller were significant supporters of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts decades ago, when it was known as the Arkansas Arts Center. The Stephenses talked about the Rockefeller gallery name on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022, in response to questions about a bequest from Anne Bartley of San Francisco, Jeannette Rockefeller&rsquo;s daughter, who had changed her mind and decided not to leave $500,000 to the museum in her will after assuming that a gallery in the new museum wouldn&rsquo;t be named for her mother, the Arkansas Times blog reported on Wednesday, Nov. 30.</p>

Supreme Court opinion Dec. 1, 2022

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Arkansas House Bill 1013

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-decoration-skip-ink: none;">Read copy of Arkansas House Bill 101</span><a href="http://arkansasonline.com/1130hb1013/" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-skip-ink: none;">3&nbsp;</a></p>

Rachel Bader resigns from Clinton Airport

<p>The former director of air service development for Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport/Adams Field complained of a hostile work environment when she resigned, according to a copy of her resignation letter. Rachel Bader started working for the airport in 2017 and was promoted to director of air service development last January, according to an Arkansas Business article. Bader&rsquo;s undated resignation letter was addressed to Executive Director Bryan Malinowski and Deputy Executive Director Tom Clarke. In it, Bader wrote that she was resigning &ldquo;immediately.&rdquo; Among other workplace issues, Bader wrote that her efforts related to community outreach were discouraged by Malinowski, Clarke and Shane Carter, the airport&rsquo;s director of public affairs and governmental relations.</p>

LR hires Texas firm in department head search

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">CONTRACT: LR hires Texas firm in department head search&nbsp;</span></p>

Department of Corrections class action complaint

<p><br></p><p><br></p>

FTX Trading Bankruptcy filing

<p>The man who had to clean up Enron says the situation at crypto exchange FTX is even worse, describing what he calls a &ldquo;complete failure&rdquo; of corporate control. A filing by John Ray III, the new CEO of the bankrupt cryptocurrency firm, lays out a damning description of FTX&rsquo;s operations under founder Sam Bankman-Fried &mdash; from a lack of security controls to business funds being used to buy employees&rsquo; homes. &ldquo;Never in my career have I seen such a complete failure of corporate controls and such a complete absence of trustworthy financial information as occurred here,&rdquo; Ray said. &ldquo;From compromised systems integrity and faulty regulatory oversight abroad to the concentration of control in the hands of a very small group of inexperienced, unsophisticated and potentially compromised individuals, this situation is unprecedented.&quot;</p>

Respect for Marriage Act

<p>The Respect for Marriage Act would repeal the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman and allowed states to decline to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states. That law has remained on the books despite being declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court&rsquo;s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The new Respect for Marriage Act would also protect interracial marriages by requiring states to recognize legal marriages regardless of &ldquo;sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin.&rdquo; The bill has gained steady momentum since the Supreme Court&rsquo;s June decision that overturned Roe v. Wade and the federal right to an abortion. An opinion at that time from Justice Clarence Thomas suggested that an earlier high court decision protecting same-sex marriage could also come under threat.</p>

Trump hotel spending report

<p>I write to request presidential records from the NationalArchives and Records Administration(NARA) to determine whether former President Trump distorted U.S. foreign policy to serve his own financial interests at the expense of the American people and in violation of his oath of office.</p><div title="Page 1"><p><br></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

11/08/22 Mar-a-Lago brief

<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p>The parties agreed to brief five global issues to the Special Master in an effort to minimize the burden of the document review. The five global issues appear in the table that the parties jointly submitted in Docket Entry ( D.E. ) 161-1, at 1:</p><p><br></p></div>

Prosecutors' note on Giuliani case

<p>The Government writes to notify the Court that the grand jury investigation that led to the issuance of the above-referenced warrants has concluded, and that based on information currently available to the Government, criminal charges are not forthcoming.</p>

Records: FBI pondered using phone spyware

<p>Dozens of internal FBI documents and court records, produced in response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by The New York Times against the bureau, show that FBI officials made a push in late 2020 and the first half of 2021 to deploy Pegasus &mdash; the hacking tool made by the Israeli spyware firm NSO that penetrates mobile phones and extracts their content &mdash; in its own criminal investigations.</p>

Montana rejects 'Infant Protection Act'

<p>Montana voters have rejected a legislative referendum that raised the prospect of criminal charges for health care providers unless they take &ldquo;all medically appropriate and reasonable actions to preserve the life&rdquo; of an infant born alive, including after an attempted abortion. The proposal contended that the state of Montana &quot;asserts a compelling interest in protecting the life of any infant born alive following an abortion,&quot; adding, &quot;In the absence of proper legal protections, newly born infants who have survived abortions have been denied appropriate lifesaving or life-sustaining medical care and treatment and have been left to die.&quot;</p>

Vindman suit against Trump allies dismissed

<p>A judge on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit that accused Donald Trump&rsquo;s oldest son and other Trump allies of an intimidation and defamation campaign targeting a retired Army lieutenant colonel who served as a key witness in the former president&rsquo;s first impeachment case. Alexander Vindman testified during 2019 impeachment proceedings about a phone call in which Trump pressed his Ukraine counterpart to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. Trump was impeached by the House but acquitted by the Senate in February 2020. He sued earlier this year in Washington&rsquo;s federal court, accusing Donald Trump Jr. and others of participating in an &ldquo;intentional, concerted campaign of unlawful intimidation and retaliation&rdquo; over his decision to testify. In his ruling Tuesday, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg acknowledged that the &ldquo;defendants leveled harsh, meanspirited, and at times misleading attacks&rdquo; against Vindman. But, he said, &ldquo;political hackery alone does not violate&rdquo; the law and allow for a successful lawsuit.</p>

Congress letter to Mississippi's Tate Reeves

<p>The House committees on Oversight and Reform, and Homeland Security, write to Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves &quot;to express our continued concern about the recent water crisis in Jackson. Mississippi has received more than $10 billion in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $429 million that was specifically allotted to enhance the state&rsquo;s water infrastructure. We urge you to devote adequate funding to Jackson to ensure residents have access to safe and healthy drinking water and to avert a future water crisis. On August 29, 2022, torrential rain in the Jackson area caused floodwater to seep into the O.B. Curtis Water Treatment Plant, leading to the failure of the backup pumps upon which the plant relied. The resulting system-wide loss of water pressure left Jackson residents without reliable access to safe drinking water for more than two weeks. Approximately 180,000 people living in the affected area were forced to rely on bottled water, costing some residents as much as $200 per month. Others, unable to reach water distribution sites or boil tap water, were left with no choice but to drink untreated water.&quot;</p>

Mississippi's Reeves response to Congress

<p>In his response to the House committees on Oversight and Reform, and Homeland Security, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves writes that his administration is &quot;<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">deeply committed to ensuring that all federal funds received by Mississippi for drinking water systems upgrades have been in the past and will continue to be in the future made available and distributed among Mississippi&rsquo;s more than 1,100 water systems on an objective and race-neutral basis,&quot; arguing that even Rep. Bennie Thompson, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said, &quot;<span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: Poppins, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">I know there&rsquo;s a water problem with the City of Jackson, but nobody has shared the facts on the problem with me. ... When we don&rsquo;t see the plan for that investment, there is a reluctance to invest on it.&quot;</span></span></p>

Federal court order in Pulaski County desegregation case

<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p><span style="font-size: 15.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">The Court appreciates the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District&#39;s July 2022 facilities report. No one has objected to it. Understandably so - the report reflects JNPSD&#39; s sprint toward completing&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">an&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 15.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">almost-total rebuild of the District&#39;s facilities. State funding has been,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 15.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">continues to be,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">an&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 15.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">essential ingredient. The Court applauds this ongoing partnership. Report, Doc.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 14.000000pt; font-family: 'Helvetica'; font-style: oblique; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">5797,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 15.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(18.000000%, 18.000000%, 20.400000%);">approved.&nbsp;</span></p></div>

Supreme Court Justice Jackson's first opinion

<div title="Page 53"><p><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">J</span><span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">USTICE&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">J</span><span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">ACKSON</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">, with whom J</span><span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">USTICE&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">S</span><span style="font-size: 9.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">OTOMAYOR&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">joins, dissenting from the denial of certiorari.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">This is a capital case involving a violation of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook'; font-style: italic;">Brady&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">v.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook'; font-style: italic;">Maryland</span><span style="font-size: 11.000000pt; font-family: 'CenturySchoolbook';">, 373 U. S. 83 (1963). There is no dispute that, during the capital trial of petitioner Davel Chinn, the State suppressed exculpatory evidence indicating that the State&rsquo;s key witness, Marvin Washington, had an intellectual disa- bility that may have affected Washington&rsquo;s ability to re- member, perceive fact from fiction, and testify accurately.&nbsp;</span></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

MOU for Lyon College, UAMS collaboration

<p>Lyon College and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have announced a partnership for the planned dental school in Little Rock. Under the agreement, Lyon College and UAMS said the schools will &quot;identify opportunities for joint teaching, research, graduate education and professional development.&quot;</p>

Little Rock motion involving Think Rubix

<p>After blogger and attorney Matthew Campbell filed Freedom of Information Act suits for records involving the failed LITFest festival in Little Rock, attorneys for the city asked a judge to include public-relations firm Think Rubix as a third-party defendant, arguing that they had relevant information on two of Campbell&#39;s requests: &quot;a. Request six (6): &ldquo;The Ashanti Request&rdquo; &ndash; &ldquo;an electronic copy of any contract, agreement, or similar record regarding Ashanti&rsquo;s upcoming performance at the Robinson Center.&rdquo;&quot; and &quot;Request nine (9): &ldquo;The Nonprofits Request&rdquo; &ndash; &ldquo;any communications about sponsors/sponsorships, potential sponsors/sponsorships, contracts with artists, contracts with companies that represent artists, contracts with venues, or communications about making or receiving any payments/donations that have anything to do with LITfest.&rdquo;&quot;</p>

Trump lawyers emails on Clarence Thomas

<p>Lawyers who aided former President Donald Trump&rsquo;s efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election regarded an appeal to Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas as &ldquo;key&rdquo; to their chances of success, according to emails provided to congressional investigators and made public Wednesday, November 2, 2022. The email exchange from December 31, 2020, shows the lawyers discussing ways to delay the certification of results in Georgia. One lawyer, Kenneth Chesebro, suggested that an appeal to Thomas, as the justice who handles emergency appeals from Georgia, could &ldquo;end up being the key here.&rdquo; &ldquo;We want to frame things so that Thomas could be the one to issue some sort of stay or other circuit justice opinion saying Georgia is in legitimate doubt,&rdquo; Chesebro wrote. &ldquo;Realistically, our only chance to get a favorable judicial opinion by Jan. 6, which might hold up the Georgia count in Congress, is from Thomas.&rdquo; Another lawyer, John Eastman, responded that he was in agreement, saying that if Thomas were to act, &ldquo;that may be enough to kick the Georgia Legislature into gear because I&rsquo;ve been getting a lot of calls from them indicating they&rsquo;re leaning that way.&rdquo;</p>

Campaign finance reports from Little Rock's four mayoral candidates

<p>Campaign finance reports from Little Rock&#39;s four mayoral candidates</p>

Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley's letter to Little Rock City Attorney Tom Carpenter

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley&#39;s letter to Little Rock City Attorney Tom Carpenter</span> </p>

2021-2023 Academic Facilities Partnership Program Projects

<p>Arkansas Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation&nbsp;</p><p>2021-2023 Academic Facilities Partnership Program Projects sorted by Project Ranking - Year 2 Funding</p>

Paul Pelosi case complaint, affidavit

<p>The criminal complaint and arrest warrant for David Wayne DePape, the man accused of breaking into House Speaker Nancy Pelosi&#39;s house and attacking her husband, Paul, reads in part: &quot;<span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DePape</span> stated that he was going to hold Nancy hostage and talk to her. If Nancy were to tell DEPAPE the &ldquo;truth,&rdquo; he would let her go, and if she &ldquo;lied,&rdquo; he was going to break &ldquo;her kneecaps.&rdquo; <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DePape</span> was certain that Nancy would not have told the &ldquo;truth.&rdquo; In the course of the interview, <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DePape</span> articulated he viewed Nancy as the &ldquo;leader of the pack&rdquo; of lies told by the Democratic Party. <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DePape</span> also later explained that by breaking Nancy&rsquo;s kneecaps, she would then have to be wheeled into Congress, which would show other Members of Congress there were consequences to actions. <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DePape</span> also explained generally that he wanted to use Nancy to lure another individual to <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DePape.&quot;</span></p>

School district funding projects approved

<p>More than $19 million in state funding will go to 36 public school districts to help with their warm, safe and dry campus repairs, the Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Commission decided Monday. The 36 projects &mdash; including new roofs, security features and heating/air conditioning units &mdash; were approved months ago but not funded in the current 2021-2023 cycle of Academic Facilities Partnership Program money.</p>

Scott Whiteley Carter resigns from Little Rock

<p>Scott Whiteley Carter, who served as the public affairs and creative economy adviser for the city of Little Rock, resigned from the city in an Oct. 17 resignation letter. He said he would join the staff of Missouri State University, adding, &quot;I have grown professionally and personally during my tenure at Little Rock City Hall. But I have always known I wanted to work someday at my alma mater. Now is that opportunity for me to return there.&rdquo;</p>

I-30 Eastbound Weekend Closure Little Rock

<p>I-30 Eastbound Weekend Closure Little Rock</p>

I-30 Westbound Weekend Closure

<p>I-30 Westbound Weekend Closure North Little Rock and Little Rock</p>

Attorney General's opinion on residential burglary parole law

<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">For&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">purpo</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">s</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">es o f&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">parole&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">eligibility&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">under&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">Ark. Code&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">Ann.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">&sect;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">16-93-609, is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">residential burglary committed before the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">effective&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">date&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">of Act&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">[895]&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">o f&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">20 I 5 (April [&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">l&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">], 2015)&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">prior&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">&#39;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">violent&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">felony&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">offense&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">&#39;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">[</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">so&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">that] an offender with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">current conviction&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">for a violent&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">felony&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">off</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">e</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">nse [would be&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">required]&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">serve&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">l</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">00%&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">his or her&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">sentence?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; font-weight: 700; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">RESPONSE&nbsp;</span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">Yes</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">an offender previously convicted&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">r</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">e</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">sidential&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">burglary&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">who committed an additional offense on or after&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">April 1</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">2015&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">i</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(25.490000%, 25.490000%, 25.490000%);">s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">not&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(15.690000%, 15.690000%, 15.690000%);">eligible for&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 13.000000pt; font-family: 'Times'; color: rgb(7.840000%, 7.840000%, 7.840000%);">parole.&nbsp;</span></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<p></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Issue 3

<p>Issue 3</p>

Issue 2

<p>Issue 2</p>

Issue 1

<p>Issue 1</p>

Issue 4

<p>Issue 4</p>

Arkansas Governor's Organizational Chart

<p>Arkansas Governor&#39;s Organizational Chart</p>

House Panel writes to Miss. governor about water crisis

<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">We are writing to express our continued concern about the recent water crisis in Jackson. Mississippi has received more than $10 billion in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including $429 million that was specifically allotted to enhance the state&rsquo;s water infrastructure.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">We urge you to devote adequate funding to Jackson to ensure residents have access to safe and healthy drinking water and to avert a future water crisis.&nbsp;</span></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div><p>&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Documents detail Trump's Secret Service spending

<p>Partially redacted documents and spreadsheets detail former President Donald Trump&#39;s spending on the Secret Service, which the&nbsp;<span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">House Oversight Committee called &quot;&#39;exorbitant.&quot;</span></p>

House panel writes to Secret Service about Trump's spending

<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<div title="Page 1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<p><span style="font-size: 12.000000pt; font-family: 'TimesNewRomanPSMT';">For several years, the Committee has been investigating former President Donald Trump&rsquo;s attempts to personally profit off his presidency, including by charging the Secret Service exorbitant rates when protecting the President and members of his family at Trump Organization properties. Despite claims by the Trump Organization that federal employees traveling with the former President would stay at Trump properties &ldquo;for free&rdquo; or &ldquo;at cost,&rdquo; new information obtained by the Committee shows that the former President&rsquo;s company charged the Secret Service excessive nightly rates on dozens of trips. These rates were as high as $1,185 per room per night, more than five times the government rate. The exorbitant rates charged to the Secret Service and agents&rsquo; frequent stays at Trump-owned properties raise significant concerns about the former President&rsquo;s self-dealing and may have resulted in a taxpayer-funded windfall for former President Trump&rsquo;s struggling businesses.</span></p>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</div></div>

Citizens For A Better Little Rock opposes Frank Scott

<p>A political action committee of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee contributed $35,000 to an independent expenditure committee that has run negative ads against Mayor Frank Scott Jr. as he seeks a second term, according to a campaign finance report. The report filed Oct. 11 on behalf of the &ldquo;Citizens For A Better Little Rock&rdquo; committee covered contributions and expenditures for the period of October 20, 2021 through Oct. 4, 2022. The committee reported receiving $56,700 and spending roughly $39,731. Huckabee&rsquo;s committee, known as Huck PAC, was the main source of the money behind &ldquo;Citizens For A Better Little Rock&rdquo; during the reporting period.</p>

Trump response to House January 6 Committee

<p>In his 14-page response to the House select committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol, former President Donald Trump writes, &quot;THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 2020 WAS RIGGED AND STOLEN!&quot;. He adds, &quot;The double standard of the Unselects between what has taken place on the &ldquo;RIGHT,&rdquo; and what has taken place with Radical Left, lawless groups such as Antifa, Black Lives Matter, and others, is startling and will never be acceptable, even to those who will be writing the history of what you have done to America,&quot; and tells the committee members, &quot;you have not spent even a short moment on examining the massive Election Fraud that took place during the 2020 Presidential Election, and have targeted only those who were, as concerned American Citizens, protesting the Fraud itself.&quot; In addition, he contends, &quot;A Majority of people in our Country say that the Presidential Election of 2020 was determinatively dishonest, including the fact that many Legislatures were overridden by local and State politicians and judges on vital regulations and requirements, which is totally illegal and UNCONSTITUTIONAL.&quot;</p>

North Little Rock apartment fire lawsuit

<p>In a lawsuit filed over a fatal fire at Shorter College Gardens Apartments, the plaintiffs write, &quot;Unfortunately, Ms. Bell-Freeman&#39;s apartment at 800 N. Beech Street, North Little Rock, AR did not have functioning and/or adequate smoke detectors, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, or other fire abatement equipment. Unfortunately, no one addressed the tenants&#39; complaints about the smell of gas. As a result of the fire, Ms. Bell-Freeman and Ms. Childs perished along with another adult. Ms. Bell-Freeman and others were not removed from the fire and smoke-filled units until fire fighters arrived and extinguished the flames. Ms. Bell-Freeman and others were heard screaming while they died in the most horrific fashion imaginable. Upon information and belief, at the time of the fire, Shorter College Gardens had inadequate, improperly trained maintenance personnel and managers. Upon information and belief, Shorter College Gardens were required to have functioning smoke detectors if it were to receive funds from HUD&#39;s Section 8 program.&quot;</p>

2022 Arkansas School Safety report

<p>The Arkansas School Safety Commission&#39;s 2022 report, approved by Governor Asa Hutchinson and recommended to state lawmakers, includes a number of recommendations that Hutchinson has stressed are not requirements. They include: &quot;All school districts should implement a positive climate program that deters bullying behaviors, and promotes social-emotional learning and positive peer relationships.&quot; &quot;All school districts should establish a behavioral threat assessment team.&quot; &quot;A coordinated crisis response team should be developed to mitigate the emotional impact of any traumatic event that impacts a district.&quot; &quot;District campuses should have corresponding numbers on classroom interior and on exterior surfaces (wall, door, or window) easily identifiable to first responders so that they can reference position of students and/or intruders.&quot;</p>

Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: A New Insect Pest

<p>Crapemyrtle Bark Scale: A New Insect Pest</p>

Biden-Harris national security strategy 2022

<p>The Biden-Harris national security strategy releases in October 2022 includes a section, &quot;Out-Competing China and Constraining Russia,&quot; calling the People&#39;s Republic of China &quot;the only competitor with both the intent to reshape the international order and, increasingly, the economic, diplomatic, military, and technological power to do it.&quot; The document also says that &quot;The United States, under successive administrations, made considerable efforts at multiple points to reach out to Russia to limit our rivalry and identify pragmatic areas of cooperation,&quot; and argues that &quot;President Putin spurned these efforts and it is now clear he will not change. Russia now poses an immediate and persistent threat to international peace and stability. This is not about a struggle between the West and Russia. It is about the fundamental principles of the UN Charter.&quot;</p>

Arkansas Geographic Teacher Shortage Area List 22-23

<p>Arkansas Geographic Teacher Shortage Area List for 2022-23</p>

Report of the Independent Investigation to the U.S. Soccer Federation Concerning Allegations of Abusive Behavior and Sexual Misconduct in Women’s Professional Soccer

<p>Report of the Independent Investigation to the U.S. Soccer Federation Concerning Allegations of Abusive Behavior and Sexual Misconduct in Women&rsquo;s Professional Soccer</p>

Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore ends LITFest contract with Think Rubix

<p>A memo sent by Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore to Tristan Wilkerson, managing principal of Think Rubix, reads, &quot;The contract executed by the City of Little Rock on June 9, 2022, with Think Rubix, LLC for event promotion is terminated effective immediately. The fifteen (15) day termination notice provision is hereby voided due to violations of said contract.&quot;</p>

Texas judge cleared to open court with prayer

<p>A deeply divided federal appeals court ruled that a Texas judge may start the day with prayer, overturning a district court decision. Judges on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans split 2-1 in opinions handed down September 29, 2022, reversing a ruling made without a trial by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Hoyt: &quot;The plaintiffs cry coercion because Texas Justice of the Peace Wayne Mack opens his court with a ceremony that includes a prayer. But Mack also takes great pains to convince attendees that they need not watch the ceremony &mdash; and that doing so will not affect their cases. Some attendees say they feel subjective pressure anyway. Yet the plaintiffs have no evidence suggesting that &ldquo;coercion is a real and substantial likelihood.&rdquo; Want of evidence showing coercion dooms their case. In holding otherwise, the district court disregarded the Supreme Court&rsquo;s most recent guidance. So we reverse and render judgment for Mack.&quot;</p>

Samantha Wilson accuses LR city attorney of slur

<p>A letter sent to the Little Rock Board of Directors reads, &quot;My name is Samantha Wilson, and I am the target of City Attorney Tom Carpenter&rsquo;s attacks. I am a black woman, a native of Little Rock, and the FOIA Coordinator who Mr. Carpenter was having a conversation with when he used the word &ldquo;n*****&rdquo; on September 26, 2022. Prior to this event, I have never had an issue with Mr. Carpenter. Our limited interactions have always been cordial. This made his use of &ldquo;n*****&rdquo; during our conversation even more shocking. I never expected it. I never saw it coming.&quot;</p>

Elijah McClain amended autopsy report

<p>In an amended autopsy report for Elijah McClain, who died Aug. 30, 2019, at age 23 after a violent police encounter in Colorado, officials conclude that he died because he was injected with a powerful sedative after being forcibly restrained. The original autopsy report from 2019 did not reach a conclusion about his cause of death, and that was a key reason that prosecutors originally decided not to pursue charges against the police officers involved. However, a Colorado grand jury in 2021 indicted three officers and two paramedics on manslaughter and reckless homicide charges in the case.</p>

Blue Hog open-records complaint Little Rock

<p>The attorney and blogger behind the &ldquo;Blue Hog Report&rdquo; filed an open-records complaint against the city of Little Rock in Pulaski County Circuit Court on Thursday, September 22, 2022. Matthew Campbell submitted three Arkansas Freedom of Information Act requests to the city between Sept. 8 and Sept. 16 that have not been fulfilled, according to the complaint.</p>

Bigo Barnett motion to dismiss 9-23-2022

<p>In a motion to dismiss the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot case against Richard &quot;Bigo&quot; Barnett, his lawyer writes, &quot;Mr. Barnett has never run from the fact that he ended up inside the Capitol. He has never denied the fact that he wound up in the office suite belonging to the Speaker of the House and put his feet up on a desk. He has never denied the fact that he removed an envelope from that office because he bled on it. Mr. Barnett&rsquo;s position is simple, he showed up to the Capitol to protest. The protest began outside and then proceeded inside. Everything he did inside was grounded in political protest: the feet on the desk; the flag in his hand; the irritation in his voice; the note he left. It was all protest, protest, protest.&quot; The motion argues that President Joe Biden has prejudiced the country against MAGA Republicans: &quot;President Biden&rsquo;s attack on Mr. Barnett&rsquo;s political affiliation is unprecedented. The fact, however, that the group of people targeted by President Biden is also the group being prosecuted by his Attorney General, is unconscionable. Never in the history of this great country has a sitting President publicly accused members of the opposition political party of treason and/or classified them as extremists for their constitutionally protected beliefs. Never has a sitting President scapegoated and subsequentially encouraged his government to relentlessly round-up and every single person who dared to protest his certification. Never has a President encouraged his citizens to act against his political enemies in the way Joe Biden did during his September 21, 2022, prime-time address to the nation. Nor is there any case law to reference for when the top U.S. law enforcement official declares untried defendants guilty of insurrection and for being extremist threats to the nation.&quot;</p>

Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on recreational marijuana ballot initiative

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned the decision made by the State Board of Election Commissioners paving the way for legal recreational marijuana to be included on the November general election ballot.</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(250, 250, 250); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">&nbsp;</span></p>

N.Y. v. Trump

<p>Lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against former President Donald Trump, three of his adult children and several of his business and business associates.&nbsp;</p>

65 Project ethics complaint against Leslie Rutledge

<p>In a letter to the Committee on Professional Conduct, The 65 Project writes to request a review of &quot;the actions taken by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, a member of the Arkansas Bar, relating to a concerted effort to overturn the legitimate 2020 presidential election results. Although many attorneys participated in this scheme, Ms. Rutledge played an important role &ndash; lending the legal profession&rsquo;s credibility to the destructive cause and using public office to amplify false assertions and frivolous claims that lacked any basis in law or fact. Specifically, Ms. Rutledge joined with other attorneys general and submitted a brief in support of the State of Texas&rsquo;s Bill of Complaint in Texas v. Pennsylvania before the United States Supreme Court. The importance of so many attorneys general providing their support for the bogus effort cannot be overstated.&quot;</p>

City manager's memo on proposed property purchase.

<p>City manager&#39;s memo on proposed property purchase.</p>

Letter on Pine Bluff High threats

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">An open letter the Pine Bluff High School interim principal posted on social media Sunday evening.</span></span></p>

Larry Jegley letter on Terrance Caffey

<p>Larry Jegley writes that the death of Terrance Caffey was concluded to be related to &quot;sickle cell trait-related sickling crisis during exertion, struggle and restraint,&quot; and that Caffey&#39;s death does not rise to the level of criminal negligence.</p>

House bill on Census interference

<p>The U.S. House on Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022, passed legislation intended to make it harder for future presidents to interfere with the once-a-decade census that determines political power and federal funding, a move that comes in response to the Trump administration&rsquo;s failed effort to make a citizenship question part of the 2020 headcount. The legislation was approved 220-208 with only Democratic lawmakers voting for it. The bill requires the Commerce secretary to certify to Congress that any new question sought on a future census be adequately studied and tested, and that the Government Accountability Office conduct a review of the certification.</p>

Conway School Board agenda

<p>&nbsp;</p>

Trump Mar-a-Lago affidavit unsealed

<p>Newly visible portions of the FBI agent&rsquo;s affidavit in the Donald Trump documents case show that the FBI on June 24 subpoenaed for the footage after a visit weeks earlier to Mar-a-Lago in which agents observed 50 to 55 boxes of records in the storage room at the property. The Trump Organization provided a hard drive on July 6 in response to the subpoena, the affidavit says.</p>

2022 NWA Skyline Highlights

<p>2022 NWA Skyline Highlights</p>

Judge ruling in Trump v Clinton lawsuit

<p>Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks, in a September 2022 ruling, tosses out the Trump v Clinton lawsuit, which he says alleges that &ldquo;the Defendants, blinded by political ambition, orchestrated a malicious conspiracy to disseminate patently false and injurious information about Donald J. Trump and his campaign, all in the hopes of destroying his life, his political career and rigging the 2016 Presidential Election in favor of Hillary Clinton.&rdquo; Middlebrooks questions the validity of the lawsuit, saying, &quot;What the Amended Complaint lacks in substance and legal support it seeks to substitute with length, hyperbole, and the settling of scores and grievances,&quot; adding that Trump was not required to annotate his complaint, &quot;but if a party chooses to include such references, it is expected that they be presented in good faith and with evidentiary support. Unfortunately, that is not the case here.&quot;</p>

Arkansas Ethics Committee on Senator Alan Clark

<p>The Senate Ethics Committee reports on its conclusion that not only did Sen. Stephanie Flowers not commit an ethics violation when she was paid travel expenses for meetings she attended via teleconference, but that when Sen. Alan Clark filed a petition claiming that Flowers had committed a violation, his filing was &quot;spurious, frivolous and retaliatory.&quot;</p>

UALR Resolutions September 2022

<p>Among projects requested by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock: Renaming the competition floor of the Jack Stephens Center to Joe Foley Court, and a revised library plaza and Trojan Way Promenade Project (a west entrance and an alumni patio).</p>

Steve Bannon 9-8-22 indictment

<p>Steve Bannon indicted</p>

King Charles speaks on queen's death

<p>King Charles&#39; statement on the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II</p>

Mckay v State of Arkansas 2022

<p>The Arkansas Court of Appeals writes, &quot;On February 3, 2020, the State filed petitions to revoke Aaron McKay&rsquo;s suspended impositions of sentence (SIS) in five cases. The 2010 conviction was for sexual indecency with a child. The other four cases were for failure to comply with reporting requirements under the Sex Offender Registration Act, codified at Arkansas Code Annotated section 12- 12-904 (Supp. 2021). A hearing was held on the State&rsquo;s petition, and the court revoked the suspended sentences in two of the failure-to-comply cases. McKay is serving two eight-year sentences, to run consecutively, for a total of sixteen years&rsquo; incarceration. McKay now appeals and argues that the evidence was not sufficient to support the circuit court&rsquo;s finding that he violated a condition of his SIS contract. We reverse and remand.&quot;</p>

Cody Hiland resigns Public Safety Department

<p>In a letter dated September 1, 2022, Cody Hiland resigns as the chief legal counsel of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety to take a post with Sarah Huckabee Sanders&#39; gubernatorial campaign.</p>

Responsible Growth Arkansas brief

<p>Responsible Growth Arkansas brief</p>

January 6th panel's letter to Newt Gingrich

<p>Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the House January 6th Committee, writes to ask <span style="color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">former House Speaker Newt Gingrich to&nbsp;</span>appear for a voluntary interview during the week of Sept. 19, saying, &quot;The committee has obtained information indicating that you have knowledge about former President Donald J. Trump&rsquo;s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and we write to seek your voluntary cooperation.&quot;</p>

4 candidates UA chancellor's post 2022

<p>Jay T. Akridge, Daniel A. Reed, Charles Robinson and Cynthia Y. Young submit their cover letters and resumes to be considered for the next chancellor of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.</p>

U.N. assessment of China, Uyghur human rights

<p>In late 2017, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) began receiving increasing allegations by various civil society groups that members of the Uyghur and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minority communities were missing or had disappeared in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People&rsquo;s Republic of China (hereafter &ldquo;XUAR&rdquo; and &ldquo;China&rdquo;). </p>

Letter from Little Rock city attorney to local prosecuting attorney.

<p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">Letter from Little Rock city attorney to local prosecuting attorney.</span> </p>

Little Rock short-term rentals draft ordinance

A proposed 2022 Little Rock ordinance on short-term rentals of homes would change existing text to read, "There is hereby levied a tax of four (4) percent upon the gross receipts or gross proceeds derived and received from the renting, leasing or otherwise furnishing of hotel, motel, house, cabin, bed and breakfast, short term rental, campground, condominium, or apartment accommodations, or other similar rental accommodations for sleeping, meeting, or party or banquet use for profit in the city, provided that such levy shall not apply to the rental or leasing of such accommodations for a period of thirty (30) days or more."

Larry Jegley FOIA letter Little Rock

Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley of the 6th Judicial District in a letter Thursday, Aug. 25, 2022 requested that Little Rock city officials “fully comply” with unresolved Arkansas Freedom of Information Act requests submitted by a Conway man who accused Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. of violateingthe open-records law and of “lavishly” spending taxpayer money. Jimmie Cavin filed two FOIA requests on July 22, “neither of which were responded to completely or within the time frame required by statute," Jegley's letter says.

FBI affidavit

<br></br>

8th Circuit ruling on transgender care ban

In its ruling on a 2021 Arkansas law outlawing gender-affirming medical care for transgender children, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals writes, "The statute defines “biological sex” as the person’s sex “at birth, without regard to an individual’s psychological, chosen, or subjective experience of gender.” Thus, under the Act, medical procedures that are permitted for a minor of one sex are prohibited for a minor of another sex. A minor born as a male may be prescribed testosterone or have breast tissue surgically removed, for example, but a minor born as a female is not permitted to seek the same medical treatment. Because the minor’s sex at birth determines whether or not the minor can receive certain types of medical care under the law, Act 626 discriminates on the basis of sex. Arkansas’s characterization of the Act as creating a distinction on the basis of medical procedure rather than sex is unpersuasive. Arkansas argues that administering testosterone to a male should be considered a different procedure than administering it to a female because the “procedure allows a boy to develop normally” whereas for a girl it has the effect of “disrupting normal development.” But this conflates the classifications drawn by the law with the state’s justification for it. The biological sex of the minor patient is the basis on which the law distinguishes between those who may receive certain types of medical care and those who may not. The Act is therefore subject to heightened scrutiny."

Steve Landers Sr.'s statement of financial interest for 2021

Steve Landers Sr.'s statement of financial interest for 2021.

Methodist letter

Bishop Gary Mueller's letter to Methodists

Pulaski County Special School District Mills campus plan

"On May 6, 2021, the Court ordered PCSSD to develop a proposal for facilities work to be done at Mills University Studies High School to “comply … and square up” the inequity between Mills University Studies High School and Robinson Middle School (the “Mills-Robinson Inequity”). Doc. 5730, p. 30. PCSSD submitted a proposal to the Court (the “Proposal”), Doc. 5736, and the Court issued a general approval of the Proposal. Doc. 5776. However, the Court ordered PCSSD to “refine its proposal into a firm plan” and the Court ordered PCSSD to “file the plan by 1 July 2022.” Doc. 5776, p. 3. The Court later extended that deadline to 15 August 2022. Doc. 5794. As ordered, PCSSD hereby submits this facilities plan (the “Plan”)."

NLRSD Testing Data Overview 2022, updated

The PowerPoint presentation for the North Little Rock School District and the ACT Assessment includes this slide: "At the elementary level, our students are entering school slightly behind national norms. Three schools at the elementary level are outliers (Crestwood, Lakewood, Indian Hills). The majority of students are not making adequate yearly growth (increased learning achievement) as indicated by all assessments (NWEA, The ACT, and ACT Aspire). Despite not growing in accordance with the national norms, we are seeing GROWTH. ACT Aspire Data shows that NLRSD students are beginning to recover from the pandemic learning loss (10/13 schools showed growth in three out of the four tested areas). There are disparities in student achievement when looking at race/ ethnicity and subgroups such as Special Ed. ELL, Section 504, and Economically Disadvantaged. Elementary performance impacts Middle and High School Data however, the disparities in achievement between student populations is maintained during the secondary years. Understanding the district’s historical data is essential to transforming the system."

NLRSD Testing Data Overview 2022

The PowerPoint presentation for the North Little Rock School District and the ACT Assessment includes this slide: "At the elementary level, our students are entering school slightly behind national norms. Three schools at the elementary level are outliers (Crestwood, Lakewood, Indian Hills). The majority of students are not making adequate yearly growth (increased learning achievement) as indicated by all assessments (NWEA, The ACT, and ACT Aspire). Despite not growing in accordance with the national norms, we are seeing GROWTH. ACT Aspire Data shows that NLRSD students are beginning to recover from the pandemic learning loss (10/13 schools showed growth in three out of the four tested areas). There are disparities in student achievement when looking at race/ ethnicity and subgroups such as Special Ed. ELL, Section 504, and Economically Disadvantaged. Elementary performance impacts Middle and High School Data however, the disparities in achievement between student populations is maintained during the secondary years. Understanding the district’s historical data is essential to transforming the system."

Rapert, atheists setlle social media case

State Senator Jason Rapert agrees to a settlement with American Atheists Inc., who had sued on behalf of four plaintiffs who had been blocked from Rapert's Facebook and Twitter accounts.

CALS Six Bridges 2022 author lineup

The Central Arkansas Library System's Six Bridges Book Festival has released its 2022 author list, including Geoff Dyer, Claudia Gray, Xochitl Gonzalez, Janis Kearney, John A. Kirk and filmmaker John Waters.

State lawsuit against Big Country Chateau apartments

In a lawsuit filed by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge against Big Country Chateau LLC, the state accuses the Little Rock apartment complex owners of "knowingly renting properties that have code violations affecting the health and safety of a resident prior to clearing the code violation with the proper authority," saying that it violates Little Rock Housing Code, and also accuses the defendants of accepting "payments from tenants with the understanding that such monies would be used to pay the complex’s utility bills; however, Defendants failed to pay the water and electric bills for the apartment complex, taking the tenants’ money and leaving them at risk of losing utilities necessary for a habitable residence."

Copy of the 8th Circuit Court of appeals filing

Copy of the 8th Circuit Court of appeals filing

Police incident report related to Landers' misplaced gun

Police incident report related to Landers' misplaced gun.

2022 Safety Report

The 2022 Arkansas School Safety Commission releases its interim report, noting that it's been tasked with the following duties: "1) Review the Commission’s Final Report published in November 2018; 2) Provide an update on the status of school safety across Arkansas; 3) Update the analysis of the safety of K-12 schools throughout the state taking into consideration the physical and mental health of students; 4) Determine which findings and recommendations from the previous report have not been remediated and achieved; 5) Identify any new recommendations of best practices in school safety that have been developed since the Commission’s final report in November 2018; 6) Submit an initial report and recommendations to The Governor on August 1, 2022 and 7) Submit the final report of the Commission’s findings and recommendations to the Governor no later than October 1, 2022."

LRPD release on shootings 8-14-2022

In a statement on August 14, 2022, the Little Rock Police Department detail a series of 11 shootings, including three killings, between Saturday afternoon, Aug. 13, and late Sunday afternoon, Aug. 14, in the Little Rock area. The shootings were under investigation by Little Rock police, the Pulaski County sheriff's office and Arkansas State Police.

Obama Foundation, NARA document agreement

In a Memorandum of Understanding between the Barack Obama Foundation and the National Archives and Records Administration, the two sides agree on the digitization of Obama's presidential records. The agreement specifies the requirements for digitizing and preserving Obama's non-classified presidential documents in a searchable version.

Obama letter of intent on digitizing documents

Robbin Cohen, executive director of the Barack Obama Foundation, writes to the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration in 2018 to affirm plans to digitize all of Obama's nonclassified material, establishing that while millions of documents would be transferred to a site in Obama's home state of Illinois, that site would remain under the control of NARA.

Mar-a-Lago search documents

Court papers released Friday after a federal judge unsealed the warrant that authorized the The FBI search of former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, as well as a receipt of property seized during the search.

California water supply strategy 2022

A water strategy for California introduced Aug. 11, 2022 by Gov. Gavin Newsom calls on the state to create water storage space, recycle water before it's dumped into the ocean, stress water efficiency, capture stormwater and desalinate ocean water.

Connect Conway trails proposal 2022

From the application: "The Connect Conway Project aims to build a safe, connected, and accessible transportation system by reducing transportation and economic barriers through bike and pedestrian infrastructure for those living and working in Historically Disadvantaged areas of the city. The primary route includes approximately 15.2 miles of developed and upgraded pedestrian and bike infrastructure that connects to ten city parks, seven schools, three major retail areas, three universities and colleges, fourteen major employment centers, sixteen neighborhoods, and other vital community services."

2022 SB1 Arkansas tax cuts

From the August 2022 special session: AN ACT TO REDUCE ARKANSAS INCOME TAXES; TO ACCELERATE FUTURE REDUCTIONS IN ARKANSAS INCOME TAXES; TO ADOPT FEDERAL LAW REGARDING DEPRECIATION AND EXPENSING OF PROPERTY; TO CREATE AN INFLATIONARY RELIEF INCOME-TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle: TO REDUCE ARKANSAS INCOME TAXES; TO ADOPT FEDERAL LAW ON DEPRECIATION AND EXPENSING OF PROPERTY; TO CREATE AN INCOME-TAX CREDIT FOR CERTAIN TAXPAYERS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

2022 SB2 Arkansas school-safety funding

From the August 2022 special session: AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND TO TRANSFER SURPLUS FUNDS TO CREATE A HOLDING ACCOUNT FOR THE SCHOOL SAFETY SET-ASIDE OR CONTINGENCY VOTE 3/5 SET-ASIDE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2023; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Subtitle: AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - SCHOOL SAFETY GRANTS APPROPRIATION AND SCHOOL SAFETY SET-ASIDE OR CONTINGENCY VOTE 3/5 SET-ASIDE FOR THE 2022-2023 FISCAL YEAR.

Senate Bill 2 - School Safety

Senate Bill 2 - School Safety

Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on Bourne

Arkansas Supreme Court ruling on Bourne

Senate Bill 1 - Tax Cuts

Senate Bill 1 - Tax Cuts

Arkansas sales-tax holiday items 2022

A list of items affected by Arkansas' back-to-school holiday for the state sales tax includes clothing of less than $100 per item; clothing Accessories or equipment of less than $50 per item, including briefcases, cosmetics, wallets and watches; electronic devices, including computers (laptop or desktop), computer accessories (a mouse, a monitor or keyboard), cellphones and smartphones; school supplies and art supplies. Items such as sewing equipment, protective equipment or sporting equipment remain taxable.

Recreational marijuana petition 2022

The proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment to allow recreational marijuana, which was rejected by the state Board of Election Commissioners on August 3, 2022.

Crypto-Bitcoin bill 2022

The summary of a bill co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas, the Digital Commodities Consumer Protection Act of 2022, specifies that it "Grants the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“Commission”) exclusive jurisdiction over digital commodity trades, except for transactions in which a merchant or consumer is using a digital commodity solely for the purchase or sale of a good or service. Prohibits fraud with respect to any digital commodity trade." The bill is designed to regulate cryptocurrency.

Pope County Casino Repeal Amendment 2022

The proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment looking to remove Pope County as a destination for the fourth casino permitted under Amendment 100. The proposal's ballot title was rejected by the state Board of Election Commissioners in August 2022.

Copy of the interim school safety report

Copy of the interim school safety report

West Virginia abortion bill 2022

A bill in the West Virginia Legislature "finds that the State of West Virginia has a legitimate interest to prohibit abortion. As provided in §6-57 of the WV Constitution, “Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.” It states, "An abortion may not be performed or induced or be attempted to be performed or induced unless in the reasonable medical judgment of a licensed medical professional: (A) there exists a nonmedically viable fetus; (B) there exists an ectopic pregnancy; or (C) there exists a medical emergency. In addition to the exceptions provided in §16-2R-3(A)-(C), an abortion may be performed by a licensed medical professional when: (1) the patient is a victim of sexual assault or incest; (2) a report is made to a qualified law enforcement officer; (3) the licensed medical professional determines that probable gestational age of fetus has not exceed 14 weeks; and (4) the licensed medical professional complies with the provisions of §16-2R-5."

Ionov indictment Russia propaganda

The unsealed indictment against Alexsandr Viktorovich Ionov alleges that he was paying American individuals and groups to publish pro-Russian propaganda without disclosing his intentions to the United States.

Atheists v Rapert order on documents

Judge Kristine Baker rules in favor of American Atheists Inc. in their request for documents in their lawsuit against state Sen. Jason Rapert: "Rapert objects to supplementing his response to this interrogatory for the same reasons previously outlined ... calling the request “overly broad,” “unduly burdensome,” and “disproportionate to the needs of the case” (Id.). Rapert also argues that he maintains “no record of accounts which were considered for restriction” Concerning Rapert’s repetitive boilerplate objections to many of the discovery requests at issue in plaintiffs’ motion to compel, they are not sufficient."

O'Connor letter on Biden's health

In an update on July 24, 2022, the White House physician to President Joe Biden recaps his covid progress. Kevin C. O'Connor says Biden has been taking Paxlovid and tolerates his treatment well.

Michigan sheriff sues over 2020 election probe

Dar Leaf, the sheriff of Barry County, Michigan, files suit in mid-2022 against Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and the Michigan State Police, saying they have interrupted his almost two-year probe into allegations of election fraud in his county: "This lawsuit represents a flagrant violation of these aforementioned constitutional and statutory laws on the part of the Defendants, acting in concert and jointly, who have taken it upon themselves to obstruct justice, interfere with the and ultimately usurp the powers and duties of the County Sheriff, and to obstruct, impede, taint, prejudice, stop, and/or adulterate an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of criminal acts related to elections and voting."

Supreme Court order on Biden immigration

In United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., the Supreme Court writes, "The application for stay presented to Justice Alito and by him referred to the Court is denied. The Solicitor General suggested that the Court may want to construe the application as a petition for certiorari before judgment. Doing so, the petition is granted. The parties are directed to brief and argue the following questions: 1. Whether the state plaintiffs have Article III standing to challenge the Department of Homeland Security’s Guidelines for the Enforcement of Civil Immigration Law; 2. Whether the Guidelines are contrary to 8 U.S.C. §1226(c) or 8 U.S.C. §1231(a), or otherwise violate the Administrative Procedure Act; and 3. Whether 8 U.S.C. §1252(f)(1) prevents the entry of an order to “hold unlawful and set aside” the Guidelines under 5 U.S.C. §706(2). The case will be set for argument in the first week of the December 2022 argument session. Justice Sotomayor, Justice Kagan, Justice Barrett, and Justice Jackson would grant the application for stay."

Georgia 2020 elector certificates, real and false

A combination of electoral certificates shows Georgia's presidential electors certifying the state's 16 electoral votes for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, while a false slate of electors presents the state's 16 electoral votes for Donald Trump and Mike Pence.

Jami Cook resignation letter

Jami Cook, the secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and the director of the Division on Law Enforcement Standards and Training, announces her resignation for health reasons in a July 2022 letter to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, citing health concerns and doctors' advice to "slow down."

Census citizenship question memo

In a memo to the members of the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Reform on the investigation into the census citizenship question, Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney writes, "When the Supreme Court struck down the Trump Administration’s illegal attempt to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census, Chief Justice John Roberts observed that the Trump Administration’s stated rationale for including the citizenship question — to help enforce the Voting Rights Act (VRA) — “seems to have been contrived.” Today, the Committee is releasing documents showing Chief Justice Roberts was right. These documents also reveal that even as the Trump Administration was developing this contrived rationale, top Administration officials were secretly exploring what appears to have been their true reason for adding the citizenship question: to exclude non-citizens from congressional apportionment counts, contrary to the clear language of the Constitution." Maloney argues that "Contrary to Secretary Ross’s Testimony to Congress, Congressional Apportionment Was Central to His Efforts to Add a Citizenship Question; The Initial Draft of the Legal Memo Warned that Using a Citizenship Question for Apportionment Would Likely Violate the Constitution; Commerce Officials Downplayed Legal Concerns and Altered the Memo to Suggest the Citizenship Question Could be Used for Apportionment; Secretary Ross Secretly Steered DOJ Towards the Pretextual Rationale."

Notice to appear for Rudy Giuliani

"COMES NOW the State of Georgia, by and through Fani T. Willis, District Attorney, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, Fulton County, Georgia, and gives notice to this Honorable Court that an order to appear and testify before the Fulton County Special Purpose Grand Jury pertaining to witness Rudolph William Louis Giuliani has been entered."

Draft city report on Central High School Neighborhood Historic District.

Draft city report on Central High School Neighborhood Historic District.

Order suspending Robert Newcomb's law license.

Order suspending Robert Newcomb's law license.

Cease and Desist to Indiana Attorney General

The law firm DeLaney & DeLaney, representing Dr. Caitlin Bernard in the case of a 10-year-old girl who crossed state lines to get an abortion, writes to Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita: "Please immediately cease and desist making any false or misleading statements about Dr. Bernard. Your false and defamatory statements to Fox News on July 13, 2022, cast Dr. Bernard in a false light and allege misconduct in her profession. Even after the release of the TPR through public record requests, confirming that Dr. Bernard fully complied with all applicable reporting laws, your subsequent statements to local and national news sources on July 14, 2022, further cast Dr. Bernard in a false light and mislead consumers and patients. We are especially concerned that, given the controversial political context of the statements, such inflammatory accusations have the potential to incite harassment or violence from the public which could prevent Dr. Bernard, an Indiana licensed physician, from providing care to her patents safely."

Uvalde Robb shooting report by Texas House panel

An interim report on the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, by the Texas House of Representatives' investigative committee states, in part, "Other than the attacker, the Committee did not find any “villains” in the course of its investigation. ... Instead, we found systemic failures and egregious poor decision making." The report blames the school itself, saying it did not adequately prepare for the risk of an armed intruder on campus, citing its 5-foot security fence and tendency to prop open doors. But it also finds fault among the responders: "Despite the immediate presence of local law enforcement leaders, there was an unacceptably long period of time before officers breached the classroom, neutralized the attacker, and began rescue efforts. ... The chief of police was one of the first responders on the scene. But as events unfolded, he failed to perform or to transfer to another person the role of incident commander. This was an essential duty he had assigned to himself ... yet it was not effectively performed by anyone. The void of leadership could have contributed to the loss of life as injured victims waited over an hour for help, and the attacker continued to sporadically fire his weapon."

Texas AG Paxton sues Biden admin over abortion

In State of Texas v. Xavier Becerra et al., Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenges the White House move to ensure access to abortion in certain emergency situations. The suit says, in part, "The Biden Administration’s response to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., 142 S. Ct. 2228 (2022), which ended the terrible regime of Roe v. Wade, is to attempt to use federal law to transform every emergency room in the country into a walk-in abortion clinic. President Biden is flagrantly disregarding the legislative and democratic process—and flouting the Supreme Court’s ruling before the ink is dry — by having his appointed bureaucrats mandate that hospitals and emergency medicine physicians must perform abortions. But Defendants’ Abortion Mandate forces hospitals and doctors to commit crimes and risk their licensure under Texas law."

Keith Humphrey's Dec. 31, 2021 shooting called justified

In a letter to Col. Bill Bryant of the Arkansas State Police, Larry Jegley, the 6th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, says that then-Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey was justified when he fired his gun at Taz Hayes on Dec. 31, 2021,

Lindsey Graham motion to quash subpoena

Attorneys for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham have moved to quash a subpoena for him to appear before a grand jury, saying he wasn’t seeking to interfere in Georgia’s 2020 election when he called state officials to ask them to reexamine certain absentee ballots after President Donald Trump’s narrow loss to Democrat Joe Biden: "The Speech or Debate Clause of the United States Constitution protects Senator Graham from being “questioned in any other Place.” The Clause provides Senator Graham both an immunity and privilege in this context because the testimony sought relates to matters within the legislative sphere. Sovereign immunity also precludes state court process against Senator Graham given the acts occurred within his official capacity. Moreover, the District Attorney cannot establish extraordinary circumstances to require his compelled testimony, interfering with Senator Graham’s official duties on behalf of the People of South Carolina."

Oregon initiative on gun permits

Oregon's 2022 Initiative Proposal 17 reads, in part, "2. The People of the State of Oregon find and declare that regulation of sale, purchase and otherwise transferring of all firearms and restriction of the manufacture, import, sale, purchase, transfer, use and possession of ammunition magazines to those that hold no more than 10 rounds will promote the public health and safety of the residents of this state and this Act shall be known as the Reduction of Gun Violence Act." The proposal also requires permits for sales at gun shows, and also has specific exemptions for some large-capacity magazines.

Helena-West Helena hearing notice

A notice to the Helena-West Helena School District from Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key warns it that it faces recommendation as a district in need of intensive support. The rules on that: "Under the Arkansas Educational Support and Accountability Act, the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education may recommend that the State Board of Education classify a school district as in need of Level 5 – Intensive support. A district may appeal this recommendation to the State Board. Following any classification, the State Board may take one or more of the actions set forth in Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-2916. If the State Board classifies a school district as in need of Level 5 – Intensive support, the Division will develop a district improvement/exit plan in collaboration with district leadership. The Division will provide quarterly reports to the State Board regarding the district’s progress toward meeting the exit criteria contained in the plan. Rules Governing AESAA, Section 8.10.1.2."

Abu Akleh family letter to President Biden

A letter sent to President Joe Biden reads: "We, the family of Shireen Abu Akleh, write to express our grief, outrage and sense of betrayal concerning your administration’s abject response to the extrajudicial killing of our sister and aunt by Israeli forces on May 11, 2022, while on assignment in the occupied Palestinian city of Jenin in the West Bank. Shireen was a prominent, beloved Palestinian journalist. She was a role model and a mentor to aspiring Palestinian female journalists, and a trusted colleague of many in the local and international media. She was also a United States citizen. Despite wearing a protective helmet and blue bulletproof vest clearly marked as “PRESS,” Shireen was murdered by an Israeli-fired bullet to the head. Israeli forces continued to fire live rounds as bystanders– including other members of the press–tried to render assistance. Then, as we and hundreds of others gathered to begin her funeral procession, Israeli forces attacked us, beating mourners and pallbearers, violently disrupting the dignified burial procession she deserved." The letter adds: "We call on you to: 1. Meet with us during your upcoming visit and hear directly from us about our concerns and demands for justice. 2. Provide us with all of the information gathered by your administration to date concerning Shireen’s killings, including any evidence reviewed and assessed by U.S. officials, the identities and qualifications of all individuals present during the latest review of evidence, any forensics reports or other information that has not been provided to us or our legal team. 3. Retract the Department of State’s July 4 press statement, given that the Department’s own account indicates that it is not based on any credible assessment. 4. Direct the Department of Justice, including the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Bureau, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and any other relevant U.S. offices or agencies to take action on Shireen’s extrajudicial killing. 5. Finally, and it should be needless to say, we expect the Biden administration support our efforts to push for accountability and justice for Shireen, wherever they take us."

Federal Reserve minutes June 2022

A joint meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (The Fed) was held in the offices of the Board of Governors on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. and continued on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at 9:00 a.m.

January 6 panel subpoenas Pat Cipollone

In this letter sent via email to Pat Cipollone, the White House counsel to President Donald Trump who repeatedly fought Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the House Select Committee on January 6 subpoenas his testimony.

Critique of law enforcement in Uvalde, Texas

"Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas was attacked on May 24, 2022. The attack resulted in 21 fatalities (19 students and 2 teachers) and 17 injuries. The Texas Department of Public Safety contacted the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center soon after the attack to assess the law enforcement response." The ALERRT critique includes, "Prior to the suspect’s entry into the building at 11:33:00, according to statements, a Uvalde Police Officer on scene at the crash site observed the suspect carrying a rifle outside the west hall entry. The officer, armed with a rifle, asked his supervisor for permission to shoot the suspect. However, the supervisor either did not hear or responded too late. The officer turned to get confirmation from his supervisor and when he turned back to address the suspect, he had entered the west hallway unabated. (OS per investigating officer interview)."

Texas' 1925 abortion ban

In a 1925 law "impliedly repealed" under Roe v. Wade and under a 2004 decision, but reinstated after Roe was overturned, the Texas code states: "If any person shall designedly administer to a pregnant woman or knowingly procure to be administered with her consent any drug or medicine, or shall use towards her any violence or means whatever externally or internally applied, and thereby procure an abortion, he shall be confined in the penitentiary not less than two nor more than five years; if it be done without her consent, the punishment shall be doubled. By "abortion" is meant that the life of the fetus or embryo shall be destroyed in the woman’s womb or that a premature birth thereof be caused."

Think Rubix deal for Little Rock LITFest

Think Rubix LLC and the City of Little Rock reach an agreement for LITFest, a proposed festival to replace RiverFest.

Christopher Pincher resigns in UK scandal

Chris Pincher, whose role as the deputy chief whip was to maintain discipline among members Britain's Conservative Party in Parliament, resigned from his post and then was suspended by the Tories over a drunken incident in which he reportedly groped two men at an event. In his resignation letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, he writes, "Last night I drunk far too much. I’ve embarrassed myself and other people, which is the last thing I want to do, and for that I apologize to you and to those concerned." However, he also wrote, "you will continue to have my full support from the back benches," prompting calls for his suspension from Parliament.

West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency

In a ruling limiting the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate carbon emissions, Chief Justice John Roberts writes for the court, "Under our precedents, this is a major questions case. In arguing that Section 111(d) empowers it to substantially restructure the American energy market, EPA “claim[ed] to discover in a long-extant statute an unheralded power” representing a “transformative expansion in [its] regulatory authority.” ... It located that newfound power in the vague language of an “ancillary provision[]” of the Act, Whitman, 531 U. S., at 468, one that was designed to function as a gap filler and had rarely been used in the preceding decades. And the Agency’s discovery allowed it to adopt a regulatory program that Congress had conspicuously and repeatedly declined to enact itself. ... Given these circumstances, there is every reason to “hesitate before concluding that Congress” meant to confer on EPA the authority it claims under Section 111(d)." In her dissent, Elena Kagan writes, "Let’s say the obvious: The stakes here are high. Yet the Court today prevents congressionally authorized agency action to curb power plants’ carbon dioxide emissions. The Court appoints itself—instead of Congress or the expert agency—the decision-maker on climate policy. I cannot think of many things more frightening. Respectfully, I dissent."

New Zealand declares Proud Boys terror group

The New Zealand Police, recommending that the American Proud Boys (APBs) be classified as a terror group, focus on Gavin McInnes, writing, "The deliberate use of violence against ideological opponents, and in service of ideological objectives has been a key characteristic of the APBs since its founding by McInnes. As early as 2016 on the Gavin McInnes Show, McInnes warned his perceived political enemies, “We will kill you. That’s the Proud Boys in a nutshell. We will kill you. We look nice, we seem soft, we have 'boys' in our name but... we will assassinate you”, and in 2017 stated, “we need more violence from the Trump people, Trump supporters…”

Complaint filed to recoup county money paid to Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Kristina Gulley

Complaint filed to recoup county money paid to Pulaski County Justice of the Peace Kristina Gulley

Planned Parenthood of Utah sues over abortion trigger law

Planned Parenthood Association of Utah argues in a lawsuit filed Sunday, June 26, 2022, that because of the end of Roe v. Wade, and the subsequent activation of a law banning abortions in Utah, "PPAU and its staff, who provide abortions among other sexual and reproductive health care in Utah, have had no choice but to stop performing abortions that are not permitted by the Act in the state, effective immediately. At this time, PPAU is cancelling appointments today for roughly a dozen patients who had abortions scheduled. PPAU has more than 55 patients scheduled for abortion appointments in the next week, including 12 on Monday, 19 on Tuesday, and 19 on Wednesday." The lawsuit adds, "Utahns who have relied on safe, legal access to abortion—access that has existed for at least five decades—will lose the right to determine the composition of their families and whether and when to become parents; their entitlement to be free from discriminatory state laws that perpetuate stereotypes about women and their proper societal role; the right to bodily autonomy and to be free from involuntary servitude; and the right to make private health care decisions and to keep those health care decisions free from public scrutiny."

Applications for Little Rock chief of police

Applicants for the open Little Rock chief of police position include Jonathan Lewin, Joseph Sullivan, Frank Lewis and Derrick Threadgill.

Clarence Thomas concurrence in Dobbs

Justice Clarence Thomas, concurring in Dobbs v. Jackson, the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, writes, "As I have previously explained, “substantive due process” is an oxymoron that “lack[s] any basis in the Constitution.” He adds, "in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell. Because any substantive due process decision is “demonstrably erroneous” ... we have a duty to “correct the error” established in those precedents. ... After overruling these demonstrably erroneous decisions, the question would remain whether other constitutional provisions guarantee the myriad rights that our substantive due process cases have generated." Thomas concludes, "Substantive due process conflicts with that textual command and has harmed our country in many ways. Accordingly, we should eliminate it from our jurisprudence at the earliest opportunity."

ADH letter to Planned Parenthood on abortions

In a letter to Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Paula Day of the Arkansas Department of Health writes, "Please be advised that, pursuant to Act 309 of 2021, purposely performing or attempting to perform an abortion is a felony punishable by up to 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to $100,000, except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency."

Arkansas abortion ban trigger law

Arkansas Act 180 of 2019, which took effect when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, reads in part, "A person shall not purposely perform or attempt to perform an abortion except to save the life of a pregnant woman in a medical emergency. (b) Performing or attempting to perform an abortion is an unclassified felony with a fine not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) or imprisonment not to exceed ten (10) years, or both." The law makes exceptions for medical emergencies for the mother, as well as procedures to preserve the life of the unborn child, to remove an unborn child who died in a spontaneous abortion, or to remove an ectopic pregnancy.

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Lawsuit filed in Hunter Brittain death

In a lawsuit against former Lonoke County Deputy Michael Davis and others, representatives for the late Hunter Brittain argue that Davis suffered from mental illness and was off his medication, and that Lonoke County Sheriff John Staley should have known that Davis was unfit for duty before the encounter in which the teenage Brittain was killed.

Texas Republican Party's 2022 platform

The Texas Republican Party has been criticized for its 2022 platform, which includes planks such as "We believe that the 2020 election violated Article 1 and 2 of the US Constitution, that 1582 various secretaries of state illegally circumvented their state legislatures in conducting their elections in multiple ways, including by allowing ballots to be received after November 3, 2020. We believe that substantial election fraud in key metropolitan areas significantly affected the results in five key states in favor of Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. We reject the certified results of the 2020 Presidential election, and we hold that acting President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. was not legitimately elected by the people of the United States," and "Homosexuality is an abnormal lifestyle choice. We believe there should be no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin, and we oppose any criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values."

8th Circuit order in Arkansas Times boycott suit

The Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals writes: "In 2017, Arkansas passed a law requiring public contracts to include a certification that the contractor will not “boycott” Israel. Arkansas Times sued, arguing that the law violates the First Amendment. The district court dismissed the action. Sitting en banc, we conclude that the certification requirement does not violate the First Amendment and affirm. ... The basic dispute in this case is whether “boycotting Israel” only covers unexpressive commercial conduct, or whether it also prohibits protected expressive conduct. Arkansas Times points us to N.A.A.C.P. v. Claiborne Hardware Co., 458 U.S. 886 (1982), which held that expressive conduct accompanying a boycott is protected by the First Amendment. The State, on the other hand, argues that Rumsfeld v. Forum for Academic & Institutional Rights, Inc. (FAIR), 547 U.S. 47 (2006) controls. There, the Supreme Court held that First Amendment protection does not extend to non-expressive conduct intended to convey a political message. ... Under Arkansas’s canons of statutory interpretation, we think the Arkansas Supreme Court would read Act 710 as prohibiting purely commercial, non-expressive conduct. It does not ban Arkansas Times from publicly criticizing Israel, or even protesting the statute itself. It only prohibits economic decisions that discriminate against Israel. Because those commercial decisions are invisible to observers unless explained, they are not inherently expressive and do not implicate the First Amendment."

Downtown Little Rock Partnership funding letter

Carol Worley, president of the Downtown Little Rock Partnership Board, writes to the Little Rock Board of Directors to request $1 million to fund repairs to downtown infrastructure: "With the recent infusion of an additional $18 million of federal funds to be spent in areas of specific need, the City of Little Rock has an opportunity to invest in its downtown, the heart of our city and, hopefully, reshape the future of downtown. Downtown is an incredibly valuable asset to our City and State. Funding of much needed improvements downtown will provide the ability to make much needed repairs and to vastly improve our downtown. It will provide for a master plan, something our downtown has not had since the River Market Hall was completed in the early 1990’s. During the pandemic, our downtown, more so than everywhere else, was shut down," adding, "We need a plan that will identify ideas rethinking our land use and come up with hybrid ideas for work-spaces, living spaces and public spaces. Something that will show us creative repurposing of existing buildings so that they will be functional and accommodating for all types of workers and employers."

White House online harassment task force

President Joe Biden's "Establishment of the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse" reads, in part, "I am directing the Director of the White House Gender Policy Council and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs to lead an interagency effort to address online harassment and abuse, specifically focused on technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and to develop concrete recommendations to improve prevention, response, and protection efforts through programs and policies in the United States and globally."

Veterans burn pits Senate legislation

A Senate bill supported by Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas reads "To amend title 38, United States Code, to concede exposure to airborne hazards and toxins from burn pits under certain circumstances, and for other purposes" and says that it may be cited as the "Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021."

Little Rock police chief applications

Applicants try for the vacant Little Rock police chief's job in this June 15, 2022 collection of resumes and applications.

Biden executive order on LGBTQI community

In an executive order on June 15, 2022, President Joe Biden says, "It is therefore the policy of my Administration to combat unlawful discrimination and eliminate disparities that harm LGBTQI+ individuals and their families, defend their rights and safety, and pursue a comprehensive approach to delivering the full promise of equality for LGBTQI+ individuals, consistent with Executive Order 13988 of January 20, 2021 (Preventing and Combating Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation)."

Judge allows New York case against NRA to continue

New York Judge Joel Cohen writes, "On this motion, New York Attorney General Letitia James (the “Attorney General”) seeks to dismiss counterclaims filed by Defendant National Rifle Association of America, Inc. (“NRA”), which challenge the constitutionality of her decisions to investigate the NRA and, ultimately, to seek judicial dissolution of the NRA in this case. For the reasons set forth below, the Attorney General’s motion is granted." The NRA had sought to have the charges dismissed.

Indian Youth Services Corps guidelines

The guidelines for the Indian Youth Services Corps say the program is "to expand opportunities for Tribes to participate in Public Land Corps activities and to provide a direct benefit to members of federally recognized Indian Tribes or Alaska Native corporations. The IYSC Program will provide meaningful educational, employment, and training opportunities to its participants through conservation projects on eligible service land - public lands and Indian lands." It further says, "The IYSC Program is a statutory program that authorizes Tribes to enter into agreements with qualified youth or conservation corps to carry out appropriate conservation projects on eligible service land. It also allows the Secretary of the Interior, Agriculture, or Commerce to enter into cooperative agreements with Indian Tribes to provide funding and other support in the establishment and administration of the IYSC Program."

Hutchinson, governors letter to Biden on shootings

In a June 9, 2022 letter to President Joe Biden, Govs. Asa Hutchinson and Phil Murphy of Arkansas and New Jersey, respectively, write, "As Chair and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association, we are writing to advise you of the establishment of a bipartisan working group that will study and make recommendations designed to stop mass shootings and provide families confidence in the safety of their communities, and in particular, their schools. Our goal is to present recommendations that consider the various factors contributing to gun violence, which is the leading cause of death for American children and adolescents as of 2020 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)."

LITFest firm emails with Little Rock

In correspondence with the city of Little Rock, Think Rubix, the firm hired to handle the LITFest festival, writes, "We want the city to consider the following revisions to Exhibit A & B regarding invoicing, sponsorship, and aggregated attendance responsibilities. We cannot ensure that we can meet the deliverables assigned in Exhibit A & B if we do not have a baseline budget from which to project. Therefore, we'd like to add an addendum that Think Rubix LLC will not be penalized for failing to meet the attendance and fundraising goals set by the city if proper funding is not raised and supplied by and in partnership with the city. Specifically, the addendum would apply to these two items from Exhibit B: Exhibit B - Sponsorship dollars totaling at least $75,000 will be raised Exhibit B - Aggregate number of attendees to all LITFest events will be between 20,000 and 40,000 persons. Additionally, we would like clarification around the following language in Exhibit A: Ensuring the timely invoicing for payment of talent, in accordance with the contracts." What is Think Rubix's responsibility in coordinating invoices to the city on behalf of the talent hired? "Responsibility for securing the sponsorships and fundraising for the event, including meeting deadlines for different levels of funds to be raised." What does the city mean by "secure"?"

Eureka Green denied medical marijuana license

A ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court reads, in part, "Eureka Green’s complaint neither challenges the “applicability” of any rule as contemplated by section 207 nor does it seek a declaration regarding whether other rules should have been applied. As such, the circuit court did not have subject-matter jurisdiction over the Eureka Green’s complaint under either section 207 or 212 and neither does this court. We reverse the circuit court’s order and dismiss the complaint. As a final note, the Chief Justice has previously commented that the [Medial Marijuana Commission] had a constitutional duty it had neglected by its failure to adopt necessary rules for the administration of the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment. That was 2018. Id. It is now four years later, and the MMC has still not adopted these necessary and mandatory rules. While the issue of the failure to adopt administrative rules is not properly before us in this appeal, we take this opportunity to remind the MMC about the importance of following the Arkansas Constitution and again urge it to adopt rules for the administration of the medical marijuana amendment."

Johnny Depp Amber Heard statements

In their statements after the verdict in Johnny Depp's libel case against his ex-wife Amber Heard, Depp writes, "False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled. My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought. From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that." Heard wrote, "The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband. I'm even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously."

California reparations executive summary

An executive summary of California's reparations proposal suggests that deliberations be held on ending legal slavery in California, in part by deleting language from the California Constitution that permits involuntary servitude as punishment for crime; making it easier to hold law enforcement officers and their employing agencies accountable for unlawful harassment and violence; create forms of acknowledgment and apology for acts of political disenfranchisement; identify and eliminate anti-Black housing discrimination policies practices; and address racism in infrastructure.

Barry Jefferson suit over JP eligibility

A petition filed Wednesday, June 1, 2022 in Pulaski Circuit Court claims that Barry Jefferson, a candidate for Pulaski County justice of the peace, is ineligible to serve because of a previous hot check conviction — the same reason incumbent and former opponent Kristina Gulley was removed from the race. The complaint filed by Florence Wiley claims Jefferson was found guilty of a hot check violation in 2007. It alleges other criminal activity such as a previous charge from Kmart for theft and unpaid fines to Phillips County District Court.

Brian Mitchell resignation letter from UALR

In a letter to UALR titled "The Resignation of Dr. Brian Mitchell," he writes, "I am writing to inform you that I am resigning my position as an Associate Professor in the History Department with my last day being June 10, 2022. I do not believe that the words “resigning or resignation” adequately express my sentiments in regard to my departure or my experiences as an African American faculty member at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. When describing my decision to leave the institution, I believe the term “constructive discharge” fits more appropriately. I am resigning my position because I no longer feel safe, professionally or physically, at the university. My fears are rooted in the widely held belief that the university’s social climate is one of pervasive and entrenched systemic racism and discrimination, and that the administration has dedicated itself to covering up the acts of those that participate in harassment, discrimination, and retaliation."

Judge dismisses lawsuit by Trump

Federal Judge Brenda Sannes' ruling states that, "While the New York proceeding has been ongoing since August 2020, Plaintiffs have submitted no evidence that the subpoena enforcement proceeding has been conducted in such a way as to constitute harassment" against former President Donald Trump. The ruling frees New York Attorney General Letitia James to complete her investigation.

2022 House domestic terrorism bill

HR 350, rejected by Senate Republicans on May 26, 2022, reads, "To authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices within the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to analyze and monitor domestic terrorist activity and require the Federal Government to take steps to prevent domestic terrorism. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, This Act may be cited as the 'Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022'."

Federal Open Market Committee minutes May 2022

The minutes from the Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee meeting, May 3–4, 2022, read, "The staff’s projection for PCE price inflation was revised up slightly in the second half of 2022 and in 2023 in response to the slow resolution of supply constraints seen over the first part of 2022, a higher projected path for import prices, and a judgment that wage increases would put more upward pressure on services prices than previously assumed. All told, total PCE price inflation was expected to be 4.3 percent in 2022. PCE price inflation was then expected to step down to 2.5 percent in 2023 and to 2.1 percent in 2024 as supply–demand imbalances in the economy were reduced by slowing aggregate demand and an anticipated easing of supply constraints."

Biden executive order on policing

In an executive order signed May 25, 2022, President Joe Biden states that "It is therefore the policy of my Administration to increase public trust and enhance public safety and security by encouraging equitable and community-oriented policing. We must commit to new practices in law enforcement recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention, as well as training, oversight, and accountability. Insufficient resources, including those dedicated to support officer wellness — needed more than ever as officers confront rising crime and the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic — jeopardize the law enforcement community’s ability to build and retain a highly qualified and diverse professional workforce. We must work together to ensure that law enforcement agencies have the resources they need as well as the capacity to attract, hire, and retain the best personnel, including resources to institute screening mechanisms to identify unqualified applicants and to support officers in meeting the stresses and challenges of the job. We must also ensure that law enforcement agencies reflect the communities they serve, protect all community members equally, and offer comprehensive training and development opportunities to line officers and supervisors alike."

CBO projections 2022

In its 2022 budget projections, the Congressional Budget Office writes, "CBO projects that the federal budget deficit will shrink to $1.0 trillion in 2022 (it was $2.8 trillion last year) and that the annual shortfall would average $1.6 trillion from 2023 to 2032. The deficit continues to decrease as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) next year as spending related to the coronavirus pandemic wanes, but then deficits increase, reaching 6.1 percent of GDP in 2032. The deficit has been greater than that only six times since 1946."

52422 ABSC statement

52422 ABSC statement

Walmart-UALR sponsored research agreement

Walmart and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock reach a sponsored research agreement that deals with the rights to any inventions or developments.

Eastman Trump court filing

Conservative lawyer John Eastman, architect of a strategy to overturn the 2020 election, dealt directly with President Donald Trump and received handwritten notes from him as the men sought to keep Trump in power, according to a new court filing. Eastman did not release the contents of his communications with Trump and others in the White House and the Trump campaign, but he described them in general terms in a filing in his federal lawsuit in California against the House committee: "The remaining 33 documents over which Dr. Eastman has asserted attorney-client privilege were communications among attorneys working on the Trump legal team either relaying confidential communications from former President Trump or discussing advice to be provided to him. Such communications between co-counsel discussing confidential communications from the client or advice to be given to the client are as privileged as communications between counsel and client. ... Twenty-one of the documents identified above are attachments to the email communications. Most are legal analysis memos (and their supporting data) or drafts of pleadings, quintessential privileged material (as well as work product). Two include hand-written notes from former President Trump about information that he thought might be useful for the anticipated litigation — again, quintessential privileged material."

Michael Avenatti letter to Stormy Daniels

In a letter written to former client Stormy Daniels, jailed attorney Michael Avenatti writes that he knows that he failed in his efforts to represent her, adding, "I wish that we could turn back the clock so that the mistakes I made would never be repeated. I am truly sorry."

January 6 committee letter to Loudermilk

In a letter to U.S. Rep. Barry Loudermilk, the Select Committee to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol writes, "Republicans on the Committee on House Administration — of which you are a Member — claimed to have reviewed security footage from the days preceding January 6th and determined that “[t]here were no tours, no large groups, no one with MAGA hats on.” However, the Select Committee’s review of evidence directly contradicts that denial. We would like to meet with you soon, but we also want to accommodate your schedule. We propose meeting with you on the week of May 23, 2022. Please let us know whether one of those dates will fit with your schedule. If you are unavailable that week, we can arrange an alternative time to meet. If it would be preferable to hold this meeting with you in your home district, we would also be glad to explore travel arrangements to facilitate that option."

Arkansas revenue tables FY 2022

For FY 2022 net available Arkansas revenues are expected to reach $7,322.7 million, an increase of $477.4 million, or 7.0 percent from FY 2021 results for net available. Year-to-date actual growth after ten months in the fiscal year has been 13.5 percent above year earlier levels, resulting in $987.9 million above forecast at that point. The FY 2022 forecast is expected to provide a surplus above RSA of $1.473 billion.

Oklahoma's ban on virtually all abortion

A bill headed to the Oklahoma governor's desk to ban virtually all abortion from the moment of conception defines "Abortion" as "the act of using, prescribing, administering, procuring, or selling of any instrument, medicine, drug, or any other substance, device, or means with the purpose to terminate the pregnancy of a woman, with knowledge that the termination by any of those means will with reasonable likelihood cause the death of an unborn child. It does not include the use, prescription, administration, procuring, or selling of Plan B, morning-after pills, or any other type of contraception or emergency contraception. An act is not an abortion if the act is performed with the purpose to: a. save the life or preserve the health of the unborn child, b. remove a dead unborn child caused by spontaneous abortion, c. remove an ectopic pregnancy." It also defines "Unborn child" as "a human fetus or embryo in any stage of gestation from fertilization until birth" and defines "Woman" and "women" as including "any person whose biological sex is female, including any person with XX chromosomes and any person with a uterus, regardless of any gender identity that the person attempts to assert or claim."

Biden invokes act to address baby formula shortage

President Joe Biden invokes the Defense Production Act, arguing in a memo, "On February 17, 2022, the largest infant formula manufacturer in the country — Abbott Nutrition — initiated a voluntary recall of several lines of powdered infant formula made at its Sturgis, Michigan facility, following concerns about bacterial contamination at the facility after four infants fell ill. This incident has combined with supply chain stress associated with effects of the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic to cause an acute disruption in the supply of infant formula in the United States. Adequate supply of infant formula is critical to the health and safety of the millions of children who depend on the formula for essential nutrition. The Federal Government has worked in the last several months to address the shortfall in infant formula, but additional measures are needed to ensure an adequate supply of infant formula in the United States and thereby protect the health and well-being of our Nation’s children. This disruption threatens the continued functioning of the national infant formula supply chain, undermining critical infrastructure that is essential to the national defense, including to national public health or safety. As the Abbott Nutrition recall shows, closure of a single formula-producing facility can severely disrupt the supply of formula nationwide. Accordingly, I hereby determine, pursuant to section 101 of the Act, that the ingredients necessary to manufacture infant formula meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the Act (50 U.S.C. 4511(b))."

SIGAR report on Afghanistan withdrawal

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction report, "Collapse of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces: An Assessment of the Factors That Led to Its Demise," argues that "the single most important factor in the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces’ (ANDSF's) collapse in August 2021 was the U.S. decision to withdraw military forces and contractors from Afghanistan through signing the U.S.-Taliban agreement in February 2020 under the Trump administration, followed by President Biden’s withdrawal announcement in April 2021. Due to the ANDSF’s dependency on U.S. military forces, these events destroyed ANDSF morale. The ANDSF had long relied on the U.S. military’s presence to protect against large-scale ANDSF losses, and Afghan troops saw the United States as a means of holding their government accountable for paying their salaries. The U.S.-Taliban agreement made it clear that this was no longer the case, resulting in a sense of abandonment within the ANDSF and the Afghan population. The agreement set in motion a series of events crucial to understanding the ANDSF’s collapse."

Russellville site identified as Indian boarding school

The Interior Department has identified the Dwight Presbyterian Mission School as Arkansas' one Indian boarding school under review: "Listed in an 1827 Department of War Document as Dwight, West Mississippi with 50 pupils and $200 paid annually to American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM). The Dwight Mission School is described in the 1820 Report to the Secretary of War (page 214-215) as being planned for and it will mirror Brainerd and Eliot in operations and children will be taken into homes, received into the family and cared for by placing them in a Christian family. Supplemental research indicates that the Dwight Presbyterian Mission was one of the first American missions to the Native Americans. It was established by Cephas Washburn near Russellville, Arkansas in August 1820 on Illinois Bayou to serve the Arkansas Cherokees. Because they were required to move to Indian Territory in 1828, the mission was reestablished in 1829 near present-day Marble City, Oklahoma. It was named for Rev. Timothy Dwight. By 1824, Dwight Mission was a self-contained small town on the frontier. There were at least 24 buildings, including residences for missionaries, students, staff, and visitors. A new treaty between the Cherokees and the United States in 1828 required the Arkansas Cherokees to move to Oklahoma."

Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative report

The Interior Department report reads, "The Assistant Secretary’s findings of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which remain under investigation, based on examination of records under its control, include the following: 1. The Federal Indian boarding system was expansive, consisting of 408 Federal Indian boarding schools, comprised of 431 specific sites, across 37 states or then-territories, including 21 schools in Alaska and 7 schools in Hawaii. 2. Multiple generations of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children were induced or compelled by the Federal Government to experience the Federal Indian boarding school system, given their political and legal status as Indians and Native Hawaiians." It criticizes the expansion of "The twin Federal policy of Indian territorial dispossession and Indian assimilation through Indian education" and adds, "Further review is required to determine the reach and impact of the violence and trauma inflicted on Indian children through the Federal Indian boarding school system."

Alabama judge's ruling on transgender law

U.S. District Judge Liles Burke grants the plaintiff's motion for an injunction on an Alabama law that made it a felony to prescribe gender-affirming puberty blockers and hormones to transgender minors, writing, "the Court finds that the imminent threat of harm to Parent Plaintiffs and Minor Plaintiffs — i.e., severe physical and/or psychological harm — outweighs the harm the State will suffer from the injunction. The Court further finds that an injunction is not adverse to the public interest. To the contrary, enjoining the Act upholds and reaffirms the “enduring American tradition” that parents—not the States or federal courts—play the primary role in nurturing and caring for their children."

New Mexico wildfires letter to Biden

Michelle Lujan Grisham, the governor of New Mexico, writes to President Joe Biden in May 2022 to request that the federal government cover 100 percent of the costs of the region's wildfires.

Texas Supreme Court transgender ruling

In the Texas case over whether the state could investigate treatments for transgender children as abuse, the Texas Supreme Court wrote, "On February 18, 2022, the Attorney General issued Opinion No. KP-0401, which concludes that certain “‘sex change’ procedures and treatments . . . when performed on children, can legally constitute child abuse under several provisions of chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code.” Relying on this opinion, the Governor sent a letter to the Commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) expressing his view that “a number of so-called ‘sex change’ procedures constitute child abuse under existing Texas law.” The letter closes with the instruction that “DFPS and all other state agencies must follow the law as explained in OAG Opinion No. KP-0401.” DFPS then issued the following statement to the media: “In accordance with Governor Abbott’s directive today to Commissioner Masters, we will follow Texas law as explained in Attorney General opinion KP-0401.” This lawsuit followed."

Congressional report on meatpacking during covid

A congressional report in May 2022 concludes, "Meatpacking companies knew the risk posed by the coronavirus to their workers and knew it wasn’t a risk that the country needed them to take. They nonetheless lobbied aggressively —successfully enlisting USDA as a close collaborator in their efforts — to keep 33 workers on the job in unsafe conditions, to ensure state and local health authorities were powerless to mandate otherwise, and to be protected against legal liability for the harms that would result. The results of this lobbying campaign were tragic: during the first year of the pandemic, workforces for Smithfield, Tyson, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef alone saw at least 59,000 worker infections, at least 269 worker deaths, and countless more cases and deaths among meatpacking-adjacent communities driven by plant outbreaks. To prevent a recurrence of these harms, it is important that agencies work with each other and state governments to develop crisis plans that will guard against industry-captured agencies, such as President Donald Trump’s USDA, exploiting their authority to advance private corporate interests at the expense of public health."

Trump executive order on meatpacking

An executive order on April 28, 2020, signed by President Donald Trump reads, "I find that meat and poultry in the food supply chain meet the criteria specified in section 101(b) of the Act (50 U.S.C. 4511(b)). Under the delegation of authority provided in this order, the Secretary of Agriculture shall take all appropriate action under that section to ensure that meat and poultry processors continue operations consistent with the guidance for their operations jointly issued by the CDC and OSHA. Under the delegation of authority provided in this order, the Secretary of Agriculture may identify additional specific food supply chain resources that meet the criteria of section 101(b)."

Texas Supreme Court transgender dissent

In his dissent over the Texas Supreme Court's ruling that at least one family was entitled to an injunction in Texas' effort to investigate transgender treatment for youth as potential abuse, Texas Justice Jimmy Blacklock writes, "As the Court rightly observes, if DFPS concludes on the basis of an investigation that further action is warranted, that action cannot take place without court authorization. Until then, the courts’ normal role in this process is not to tell DFPS what it can and cannot investigate. Instead, the courts’ role is to decide whether DFPS may take action based on its investigation. The court of appeals’ order, however, would prohibit DFPS from even beginning an investigation to determine whether cause for concern meriting the pursuit of court orders might exist. In other words, the injunction amounts to one court ordering DFPS not even to look into whether it should seek orders from another court. We are pointed to no precedent for this kind of preemptive short-circuiting of the normal relationship between the investigatory power of the executive branch and the judicial power of the courts."

Missouri bill on ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine

Missouri House Bill 2149 of 2022 appears to prevent pharmacists from raising questions about patients' prescriptions for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine: "The board shall not deny, revoke, or suspend, or otherwise take any disciplinary action against, a certificate of registration or authority, permit, or license required by this chapter for any person due to the lawful dispensing, distributing, or selling of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use in accordance with prescriber directions. A pharmacist shall not contact the prescribing physician or the patient to dispute the efficacy of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets for human use unless the physician or patient inquires of the pharmacist about the efficacy of ivermectin tablets or hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets."

Memorandum of understanding between the University of Arkansas and Crystal Bridges

Memorandum of understanding between the University of Arkansas and Crystal Bridges

Paxton letter to Texas Bar Foundation

A letter from the office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to the Texas Bar Foundation reads, "Our office has recently received complaints concerning the activities of the Texas Bar Foundation, alleging that the Texas Bar Foundation is knowingly giving donations to entities that encourage, participate in, and fund illegal immigration at the Texas-Mexico border. Specifically, the complaints indicate the Texas Bar Foundation provides grants to organizations that support, fund, and encourage illegal immigration. The complaints allege this is an improper use of charitable funds such that funds are diverted from their intended purpose."

Kenyon Lowe complaint to HUD

Kenyon Lowe of the Little Rock Housing Authority writes, "I am writing to you in lodging a claim of fraud, waste, and abuse in the distribution of the CARES Act funding recived by the Housing Authority of the City of Little Rock (AR004) by Dr. Nadine Jarmon. In addition, a claim of unauthorized salary adjustments by raising all employees salary to $60,000 per year making them exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Board to avoid paying overtine to such employees that qualified for such. Lastly, Dr. Jarmon and Jada Johnson (Procurement Co-ordinator), conspired to keep a contract on board since 2012 without a contract and violating 2 CFR 200. Furthermore, attached is an email chain where Dr. Jarmon was paying a $93,000 protective services without a contract."

Judge OKs Marjorie Taylor Greene reelection bid

A judge concludes that in the case against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, "the evidence in this matter is insufficient to establish that Rep. Greene, having “previously taken an oath as a member of Congress . . . to support the Constitution of the United States . . . engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or [gave] aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. As this is the sole basis for Challengers’ suit, the Court concludes that Rep. Greene is qualified to be a candidate for Representative for Georgia’s 14th Congressional District," adding, "The burden of proof in this matter is on Challengers. Challengers have failed to prove their case by a preponderance of the evidence," saying it is insufficient to establish that Greene "engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or [gave] aid or comfort to the enemies thereof” under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution."

Texas AG deputy Brent Webster sued

In a suit filed by the State Bar of Texas, the top deputy for Attorney General Ken Paxton, Brent Webster, is accused of professional misconduct in a lawsuit attempting to stop the certification of Joe Biden as president over Donald Trump: "On or about December 7, 2020, Respondent filed Case No. 220155, styled: State of Texas v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, State of Georgia, State of Michigan, and State of Wisconsin in the United States Supreme Court. Respondent’s pleadings included requests for multiple injunctions against the Defendant States and a finding that the Defendant States violated federal election laws," adding, "Respondent’s pleadings requesting this extraordinary relief misrepresented to the United States Supreme Court that an “outcome-determinative” number of votes in each Defendant State supported Respondent’s pleadings and injunction requests. Respondent made representations in his pleadings that: 1) an outcome determinative number of votes were tied to unregistered voters; 2) votes were switched by a glitch with Dominion voting machines; 3) state actors “unconstitutionally revised their state’s election statutes;” and 4) “illegal votes” had been cast that affected the outcome of the election."

Arkansas Supreme Court opinion

State Supreme Court decision for Smith v State of Arkansas

HSU faculty resolution

HSU faculty resolution

Henderson State University financial exigency committee recommendations

Henderson State University financial exigency committee recommendations

Henderson State University chancellor letter to campus

Henderson State University chancellor letter to campus

Henderson State University chancellor recommendations

Henderson State University chancellor recommendations

Request, approval for Trump grand jury

In a letter, Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis asks that "a special purpose grand jury be impaneled for the purpose of investigating the facts and circumstances relating directly or indirectly to possible attempts [by President Donald Trump] to disrupt the lawful administration of the 2020 elections in the State of Georgia. Specifically, a special purpose grand jury, which will not have the authority to return an indictment but may make recommendations concerning criminal prosecution as it shall see fit."

CDC report on hepatitis cases in children

The CDC writes, "During October–November 2021, clinicians at a children’s hospital in Alabama identified five pediatric patients with severe hepatitis and adenovirus viremia upon admission. In November 2021, hospital clinicians, the Alabama Department of Public Health, the Jefferson County Department of Health, and CDC began an investigation. This activity was reviewed by CDC and conducted consistent with applicable federal law and CDC policy. Clinical records from the hospital were reviewed to identify patients seen on or after October 1, 2021, with hepatitis and an adenovirus infection, detected via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on whole blood specimens, and no other known cause for hepatitis. An additional four children were identified, for a total of nine patients with hepatitis of unknown etiology and concomitant adenovirus infection during October 2021–February 2022. On February 1, 2022, a statewide health advisory was disseminated to aid in the identification of cases at other facilities in Alabama; no additional patients were identified."

University of Arkansas, Crystal Bridges agreement

In a memorandum of understanding, the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and Crystal Bridges Museum agree to work together on a master of arts degree in art history, arts of the Americas degree program.

Holyoke Soldiers Home inspector general report

A Massachusetts report into deaths at the Holyoke Soldiers Home reads, "Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, May 2016 to February 2020, emanated from the Office’s investigation into a complaint it received in November 2019. The complaint focused primarily on the leadership of Superintendent Bennett Walsh at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home (Home) until September 2019 and included allegations of payroll fraud, misuse of state funds, misuse of employee resources and retaliatory behavior against the Home’s employees. The Office conducted an initial investigation of these allegations. Based on this initial investigation, the Office determined that the allegations in the complaint pointed to issues concerning oversight and management."

Trump affidavit on missing documents

In a notorized affidavit responding to an action from New York Attorney General Letitia James, former President Donald Trump writes, "To the best of my knowledge, I do not have the documents requested in the subpoena dated December 1, 2021, in my personal possession, and if there are any documents responsive to the subpoena I believe they would be in the possession or custody of the Trump Organization."

Copy the lawsuit filed by Rutledge

Copy the lawsuit filed against Family Dollar Stores, Inc.; Dollar Tree, Inc.; Family Dollar Services, LLC; and Family Dollar Stores of Arkansas, LLC by Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge

Projects list

Projects list

Florida law on critical race theory

A Florida bill signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis limits school lessons on race: "An act relating to individual freedom; amending s. 760.10, F.S.; providing that subjecting any individual, as a condition of employment, membership, certification, licensing, credentialing, or passing an examination, to training, instruction, or any other required activity that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual to believe specified concepts constitutes discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin; providing construction; amending s. 1000.05, F.S.; providing that subjecting any student or employee to training or instruction that espouses, promotes, advances, inculcates, or compels such individual to believe specified concepts constitutes discrimination based on race, color, sex, or national origin; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; amending s. 1003.42, F.S.; revising requirements for required instruction on the history of African Americans; authorizing instructional personnel to facilitate discussions and use curricula to address, in an age-appropriate manner, specified topics; prohibiting classroom instruction and curricula from being used to indoctrinate or persuade students in a manner inconsistent with certain principles or state academic standards ..."

Jan. 6 Cassidy Hutchinson transcripts

In transcripts from the Jan. 6, 2021 Select Committee interview with Cassidy Hutchinson, she says, "I just remember Mr. [Anthony Ornato] coming in and saying that we had intel reports saying that there could potentially be violence on the 6th. And Mr. [Mark Meadows] said: All right. Let's talk about it. And I believe they went to the office for maybe 5 minutes. It was very quick. Mr. Ornato had stopped him as he was walking out one night to talk about this ... had to be early January because Mr. Ornato was not -- I don't believe he came back until January 2nd or 3rd from Christmas."

Biden executive order on forests

From the Joe Biden executive order on Earth Day 2022: "It is the policy of my Administration, in consultation with State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, as well as the private sector, nonprofit organizations, labor unions, and the scientific community, to pursue science-based, sustainable forest and land management; conserve America’s mature and old-growth forests on Federal lands; invest in forest health and restoration; support indigenous traditional ecological knowledge and cultural and subsistencepractices; honor Tribal treaty rights; and deploy climate-smart forestry practices and other nature-based solutions to improve the resilience of our lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of increasing disturbances and chronic stress arising from climate impacts. It is also the policy of my Administration, as outlined in Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful, to support collaborative, locally led conservation solutions."

Florida House Bill 3C, the Disney tax bill

A Florida bill targeting Disney includes the text, "Any independent special district established by a special act prior to the date of ratification of the Florida Constitution on November 5, 1968, and which was not reestablished, re-ratified, or otherwise reconstituted by a special act or general law after November 5, 1968, is dissolved effective June 1, 2023. An independent special district affected by this subsection may be reestablished on or after June 1, 2023, pursuant to the requirements and limitations of this chapter. This act shall take effect July 1, 2022."

Pine Bluff Go-Kart Track concepts

A series of maps and projections illustrate the proposed Pine Bluff Go-Kart track.

Arkansas Absentee Ballot Application

Arkansas Absentee Ballot Application

Antwan Phillips Ethics Commission

The Arkansas Ethics Commission, in a consent order, details campaign finance violations by Antwan Phillips, an at-large city director for Little Rock.

Texas Gov. Abbott orders border inspections

In his April 6, 2022 order to step up inspections at the Texas-Mexico border, Gov. Greg Abbott wrote to Colonel Steven C. McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety: "As you have explained, the cartels that smuggle illicit contraband and people across our southern border do not care about the condition of the vehicles they send into Texas any more than they care who overdoses from the deadly fentanyl on board. In response to this threat, which is projected to grow in the coming months, I hereby direct the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to conduct enhanced safety inspections of vehicles as they cross international ports of entry into Texas. These inspections should begin immediately to help ensure that Texans are not endangered by unsafe vehicles and their unsafe drivers. Thank you for serving the great State of Texas, and for leading the brave men and women of DPS who work tirelessly to protect us all."

Bentonville mask mandate ban reversed

The Arkansas Supreme Court reverses a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Bentonville School District from mandating face masks, writing, "Because we hold that the District had the authority to promulgate its policy and that the policy did not violate the parents’ fundamental rights, we conclude that the parents failed to show that irreparable harm will result in the absence of a TRO." Justice Barbara Webb dissents, writing, "Equating health decisions for children to uniforms, cosmetics, and playground rules erodes the rightful freedoms of parents while further empowering government control. President Reagan was wise to warn us of the terrifying nature of government regulation done under the guise of “help.” Our Constitution and Bill of Rights were written to maximize personal freedom by restraining the government from infringing on our God-given rights."

Arkansas Supreme Court Rutledge Remmel lawsuit

The Arkansas Supreme Court sides with Attorney General Leslie Rutledge in a suit summed up as, "This is a lawsuit against Attorney General Leslie Rutledge in both her official and individual capacities. The dispute centers on the Attorney General’s spending on TV commercials and legal filings in out-of-state federal litigation. The lawsuit contains two primary allegations and requests for relief: first, that the Attorney General has exceeded her authority and should be enjoined from continuing to act in excess of her authority and second, that she has spent funds in excess of her authority, which constitutes an illegal exaction. The matter comes before us now on an interlocutory appeal after the circuit court denied the Attorney General’s assertions of various immunity defenses."

Thompson, Dustin Capitol January 6 rioter

In the official complaint against Dustin Byron Thompson for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, a federal agent writes, "Thompson picked up a coat rack that was behind him. The coat rack appeared to have been taken from the inside of the Capitol building. The USCP Agents instructed Thompson to put the coat rack down. Thompson complied. Because Thompson was in possession of stolen property from the riots that had just occurred at the Capitol, USCP Agents stopped Thompson ... [who] fled on foot and got away." A video is cited in which Thompson poses with the coat rack on video and says, "Wooooo! ‘Merica Hey! This is our house!"

North Little Rock ward maps 2022

A combination of three maps shows proposed ward changes for North Little Rock in 2022.

GAO Trends Affecting Government and Society

In its report on trends affecting government and society, the U.S. Government Accountability Office identifies multiple areas of interest: National Security: Global and Domestic Threats; Fiscal Sustainability and Debt; Preparing for Catastrophic Biological Incidents; Racial and Ethnic Disparities; Science, Technology, and the Innovation Economy; Security Implications for an Increasingly Digital World; Changes to How and Where We Work; Future of Global Supply Chains; Online Learning and Technology in Education; Evolving Health Technologies; Sustainable Development; and the Evolving Space Environment.

Texas prosecutor drops abortion charge

In a statement released on his Facebook account, Gocha Allen Ramirez, the 229th Texas Judicial District prosecuting attorney, announced that he will ask a judge to dismiss a murder charge against Lizelle Herrera over a self-induced abortion. A Starr County grand jury indicted Herrera on March 30 for murder for allegedly causing "the death of an individual ... by self-induced abortion." Authorities haven't released details about what Herrera allegedly did, and Ramirez didn't immediately respond to an email Sunday seeking further information about the case. From his statement Sunday and a previous statement put out by a Starr County sheriff's office official, it wasn't clear if Herrera was accused of giving herself an abortion or assisting in someone else's self-induced abortion.

Alabama's transgender medical care ban

From the Senate bill: "An Act, Relating to public health; to prohibit the performance of a medical procedure or the prescription of medication, upon or to a minor child, that is intended to alter the minor child's gender or delay puberty; to provide for exceptions; to provide for disclosure of certain information concerning students to parents by schools; and to establish criminal penalties for violations; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended by Amendment 890, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the Alabama Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act."

Maryland's Hogan vetoes abortion expansion

Maryland Governor Lawrence "Larry" Hogan vetoes House Bill 937, the Abortion Care Access Act, saying that he had vowed to take no action affecting Marylan law on reproductive rights, and that in expanding the number of people qualified to perform abortions, the bill "endangers the health and lives of women."

Kentucky's Beshear votes abortion ban

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear vetoes House Bill 3, an abortion restriction, saying it contains no exceptions for rape or incest, and that it is likely unconstitutional.

Idaho Supreme Court stays abortion ban

The Idaho Supreme Court has stayed a ban on abortion limits, the FETAL HEARTBEAT PREBORN CHILD PROTECTION ACT: "Respondent's Motion to Reconsider Order Re: Verified Petition for Writ of Prohibition and for Declaratory Judgment is GRANTED. Respondent shall have a total of twenty-eight (28) days from the date of the entry of the Order Re: Verified Petition for Writ of Prohibition to file a Verified Answer and separate response brief, consistent with l.A.R. 32(e), with this court. The Verified Answer and separate response brief shall be filed no later than April 28, 2022. The Petitioners are ordered to file a reply brief, consistent with l.A.R. 32(e), no later than fourteen (14) days after the response brief is filed. The parties having both requested action by this Court to preserve the status quo to give the parties the ability to adequately brief this case, pursuant to l.A.R. 13(g) the implementation of Senate Bill 1309 is STAYED, pending further action by this Court."

White House failed to report 2020 foreign gifts

A listing of foreign gifts for the year 2020, President Donald Trump's final full year in office with Vice President Mike Pence, includes a footnote: "The State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol did not submit the request for data to all reporting agencies prior to January 20, 2021 (at which time there was a change in administrations). In addition, the Executive Office of the President did not, prior to that date, transmit to the Secretary of State a listing of all statements filed during the preceding year, 2020. As a result, the data required to fully compile a complete listing for 2020 is unavailable. The Office of the Chief of Protocol has since made attempts to collect the required data from the current authoritative sources, the National Archives and Records Administration (as to gifts for the President and the First Family) and the General Services Administration (as to gifts for the Vice President and Family and for White House staff), but it has confirmed that potentially relevant records are not available to the State Department’s Office of the Chief of Protocol under applicable access rules for retired records of the Executive Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President."

Alabama transgender bathroom bill

Per the state of Alabama: "There is no existing law that specifically addresses the privacy rights of a public K-12 student relating to the use of school facilities designated for the biological sex of the student. This bill would require public K-12 schools to designate all rooms that are accessible to multiple students of one sex to be used by male and female students on the basis of biological sex."

Walmart's 'bamboo' rayon products

According to the Federal Trade Commission, Walmart "markets and sells textile fiber products throughout the United States on its websites and through brick-and-mortar stores. Defendant manufactures, markets, and sells textile fiber products under its own private labels. Defendant also markets and resells textile products, which it purchases from vendors and/or suppliers (“non-private label products”). In advertisements for textile products marketed and sold on its website, www.walmart.com and www.samsclub.com, Defendant makes or has made various claims concerning the fiber content of those textile products. On the www.walmart.com, and www.samsclub.com websites, Defendant has claimed the textile fiber in retail products it markets and sells is “bamboo.”"

Buena Vista Fire Department audit

An audit of the Buena Vista Fire Department in 2022 reveals more than $96,000 in improper or undocumented reimbursements, citing the now-dismissed treasurer.

Michigan's 1931 anti-abortion law

In a 1931 law overridden by Roe v. Wade but still on the books in Michigan, the Michigan Penal Code states: "Any person who shall wilfully administer to any pregnant woman any medicine, drug, substance or thing whatever, or shall employ any instrument or other means whatever, with intent thereby to procure the miscarriage of any such woman, unless the same shall have been necessary to preserve the life of such woman, shall be guilty of a felony, and in case the death of such pregnant woman be thereby produced, the offense shall be deemed manslaughter. In any prosecution under this section, it shall not be necessary for the prosecution to prove that no such necessity existed."

Nebraska's failed 'trigger' abortion bill

Nebraska's Legislative Bill 933, "A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to abortion; to amend sections 28-101 and 38-2021, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2020; to adopt the Nebraska Human Life Protection Act; to provide a penalty; to provide for severability of provisions as prescribed; to redefine unprofessional conduct; to harmonize provisions; and to repeal the original sections," was unsuccessful in April 2022. It included the provision, "The Nebraska Human Life Protection Act shall become operative only upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events: (1) The United States Supreme Court overrules, in whole or in part, Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 (1973), restoring or granting to the State of Nebraska the authority to regulate abortion to the extent set forth in the act."

Arkansas district testing shortfalls 2021

This table lists the Arkansas school districts and schools in which the percentage of students tested did not reach 95% in either English or in math.

Bill to legalize cannabis, marijuana

"To decriminalize and deschedule cannabis, to provide for reinvestment in certain persons adversely impacted by the War on Drugs, to provide for expungement of certain cannabis offenses, and for other purposes." "This Act may be cited as the 'Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act' or the 'MORE Act.'"

Emergency motion on blocked voting laws

"Appellants submit this Emergency Motion for Stay of the Pulaski County Circuit Court’s injunction order and request for expedited consideration of this motion. This is an election case. It involves four acts modifying Arkansas’s election regulations that are designed to protect the integrity of the electoral process. Plaintiffs sued before those acts took effect but did not ask for preliminary relief. As a result, those laws have been in effect for nearly a year, and local officials have complied with them. Indeed, multiple local elections have occurred, without the harms Plaintiffs allege, since those laws went into effect. Yet on the eve of the May 2022 primary, Judge Wendell Griffen—applying strict scrutiny to ordinary election rules—permanently enjoined all four acts. Absent an immediate stay, that decision threatens electoral chaos and confusion. Absentee ballots are finalized and ready to be mailed—and, indeed, must be mailed by next week—and in-person voting begins in mere weeks."

Arizona House Bill 2492 on voting requirements

Among the changes to Arizona election law approved in March 2022 is the following: "Except for a form produced by the United States Election Assistance Commission, any application for registration shall be accompanied by satisfactory evidence of citizenship as prescribed in section 16-166, subsection f, and the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall reject any application for registration that is not accompanied by satisfactory evidence of citizenship. A county recorder or other officer in charge of elections who knowingly fails to reject an application for registration as prescribed by this subsection is guilty of a class 6 felony. The county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall send a notice to the applicant as prescribed in Section 16-134, Subsection B. D. Within ten days after receiving an application for registration on a form produced by the united states election assistance commission that is not accompanied by satisfactory evidence of citizenship, the county recorder or other officer in charge of elections shall use all available resources to verify the citizenship status of the applicant."

Utah HB11 on transgender people in sports

Utah's bill, which overcame the governor's veto, is titled "Student eligibility in extracurricular activities," and reads: "This bill addresses student athlete participation in gender-designated sports in the public education system. This bill: defines terms; imposes limits on participation in female sports, by: requiring schools and local education agencies to designate athletic activities by sex; prohibiting a student of the male sex from competing against another school on a team designated for female students; prohibiting certain complaints or investigations based on a school or local education agency maintaining separate athletic activities for female students; and providing for severability; in the alternative if a court invalidates the above policy: conditions student athlete participation in gender-designated sports in the public education system on the student's birth certificate..."

Utah governor's veto of transgender law

In explaining his veto of a law targeting transgender sports participation, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox writes that it "will likely bankrupt the Utah High School Athletic Association and result in millions of dollars in legal fees for local school districts with no state protection," and adds, "Four kids and only one of them playing girls sports. That’s what all of this is about. Four kids who aren’t dominating or winning trophies or taking scholarships. Four kids who are just trying to find some friends and feel like they are a part of something. Four kids trying to get through each day. Rarely has so much fear and anger been directed at so few. I don’t understand what they are going through or why they feel the way they do. But I want them to live. And all the research shows that even a little acceptance and connection can reduce suicidality significantly. For that reason, as much as any other, I have taken this action in the hope that we can continue to work together and find a better way. If a veto override occurs, I hope we can work to find ways to show these four kids that we love them and they have a place in our state. I recognize the political realities of my decision. Politically, it would be much easier and better for me to simply sign the bill. I have always tried to do what I feel is the right thing regardless of the consequences. Sometimes I don’t get it right, and I do not fault those who disagree with me. But even if you disagree with me, I hope this letter helps you understand the reasons for my decision."

Arkansas Voter Registration Application 2022

Arkansas Voter Registration Application 2022

Trump v Clinton, 2016 campaign lawsuit

In a lawsuit against parties including Hillary Clinton, the Democratic National Committee, DNC Services Corporation, Perkins Coie LLC, Michael Sussmann, Marc Elias, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Charles Halliday Dolan Jr., Jake Sullivan, John Podesta, Robert E. Mook, Phillipe Reines, Fusion GPS, Glenn Simpson, Peter Fritsch, Nellie Ohr, Bruce Ohr, Orbis Business Intelligence Ltd., Christopher Steele, Igor Danchenko, Neustar Inc., Rodney Joffe, James Comey, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, Kevin Clinesmith and Andrew McCabe, Donald Trump argues: "In the run-up to the 2016 Presidential Election, Hillary Clinton and her cohorts orchestrated an unthinkable plot – one that shocks the conscience and is an affront to this nation’s democracy. Acting in concert, the Defendants maliciously conspired to weave a false narrative that their Republican opponent, Donald J. Trump, was colluding with a hostile foreign sovereignty. The actions taken in furtherance of their scheme — falsifying evidence, deceiving law enforcement, and exploiting access to highly-sensitive data sources - are so outrageous, subversive and incendiary that even the events of Watergate pale in comparison. 2. Under the guise of ‘opposition research,’ ‘data analytics,’ and other political stratagems, the Defendants nefariously sought to sway the public’s trust. They worked together with a single, self-serving purpose: to vilify Donald J. Trump. Indeed, their far-reaching conspiracy was designed to cripple Trump’s bid for presidency by fabricating a scandal that would be used to trigger an unfounded federal investigation and ignite a media frenzy. 3. The scheme was conceived, coordinated and carried out by top-level officials at the Clinton Campaign and the DNC — including ‘the candidate’ herself—who attempted to shield her involvement behind a wall of third parties."

Robert Snow Capitol riot statement of offense

<p>In a guilty plea reached by a Heber Springs man who encountered police in the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, the statement of offense reads, &quot;Pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 11, the United States of America, by and through its attorney, the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, and the defendant, ROBERT THOMAS SNOW, with the concurrence of his attorney, agree and stipulate to the below factual basis for the defendant&rsquo;s guilty plea &mdash; that is, if this case were to proceed to trial, the parties stipulate that the United States could prove the below facts beyond a reasonable doubt.&quot;</p>

Covid-19 school report March 10, 2022

Covid-19 school report March 10, 2022

South Carolina firing-squad executions

The South Carolina Department of Corrections informed S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson that the department is now able to carry out an execution by firing squad as required by law under S.C. Code 24-3-530. The legislation, which became law on May 14, 2021, makes the electric chair the state’s primary means of execution while giving inmates the option of choosing death by firing squad or lethal injection if those methods are available. The Capital Punishment Facility at Broad River Correctional Institution has been renovated to include the capacity to perform an execution by firing squad. Protocols have been written, and the department is ready to carry out an order of execution by firing squad if the inmate chooses this method.

California abortion rights bill

This bill would require the California Health and Human Services Agency, or an entity designated by the agency, to establish an internet website where the public can find information on abortion services in the state. The bill would require the agency to also develop, implement, and update as necessary, a statewide educational and outreach campaign to inform the public on how to access abortion services in the state. The bill would establish the Abortion Practical Support Fund and would require the commission to administer the Abortion Practical Support Fund for the purpose of providing grants, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to assist pregnant people who are low income or face other financial barriers with access to abortions in California, and for research to support equitable access to abortion.

Washington state abortion act

An act relating to preserving a pregnant individual's ability to access abortion care in Washington state; the Legislature affirms that is the longstanding public policy of this state to promote access to affordable, high quality sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion care, without unnecessary burdens or restrictions on patients or providers. In 1970 Washington was one of the first states to decriminalize abortion before Roe v. Wade; and in 1991 the people of Washington passed Initiative Measure 120, the reproductive privacy act, further protecting access to abortion services.

HR 2116 Hair discrimination act

A BILL To prohibit discrimination based on an individual’s texture or style of hair. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2021’’ or the ‘‘CROWN Act of 2021’’.

Letter to EchoMail CEO on election audit

In a letter to V.A. Shiva Ayyadurai, the CEO of EchoMail, Carolyn Maroney and Jamie Raskin write, "We are writing to request information regarding EchoMail’s participation in an “audit” of the 2020 election in Otero County, New Mexico. The Oversight Committee is investigating the rise of partisan “audits” of the 2020 election results that threaten to undermine the integrity of our election critical infrastructure and perpetuate misinformation about election results. We are deeply concerned about your company’s role in this effort, given your participation in the discredited “audit” in Maricopa County, Arizona, and your personal embrace of election conspiracy theories. The Committee is also alarmed by your company’s involvement in a doorto-door canvass of Otero County voters, which is apparently being conducted by volunteers from a conspiracist group whose leaders aim to “pinpoint” a “list of suspects” for “criminal prosecution,” and called for “arrests,” “prosecutions,” and “firing squads.”

House bill to suspend Russia, Belarus trade

HR 7014, approved overwhelmingly by the U.S. House on March 17, 2022, is "a bill to suspend normal trade relations treatment for the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, and for other purposes."

Florida election police force bill

A Florida bill on elections creates the Office of Election Crimes and Security: "(1) The Office of Election Crimes and Security is created within the Department of State. The purpose of the office is to aid the Secretary of State in completion of his or her duties under s. 97.012(12) and (15) by: (a) Receiving and reviewing notices and reports generated by government officials or any other person regarding alleged occurrences of election law violations or election irregularities in this state. (b) Initiating independent inquiries and conducting preliminary investigations into allegations of election law violations or election irregularities in this state. (2) The office may review complaints and conduct preliminary investigations into alleged violations of the Florida Election Code or any rule adopted pursuant thereto and any election irregularities. (3) The secretary shall appoint a director of the office. (4) The office shall be based in Tallahassee and shall employ nonsworn investigators to conduct any investigations. The positions and resources necessary for the office to accomplish its duties shall be established through and subject to the legislative appropriations process. (5) The office shall oversee the department’s voter fraud hotline."

Florida House bill amending abortion law

A Florida bill headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis changes the law to say that a physician may not perform an abortion if the physician determines the gestational age of the fetus is more than 15 weeks. The previous law blocked a physician from performing an abortion if the woman was in the third trimester of pregnancy, or six months or more into the pregnancy.

Letter notifying Kimberly Guilfoyle of subpoena

The January 6th House Select Committee letter to Kimberly Guilfoyle, fiancee of Donald Trump Jr., compelling her to produce documents involved in the 2021 insurrection at the Capitol in Washington.

Veterans burn pits legislation

H.R. 2436: To amend title 38, United States Code, to concede exposure to airborne hazards and toxins from burn pits under certain circumstances, and for other purposes. This Act may be cited as the "Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021."

Jan. 6 panel accuses Trump of criminal conspiracy

"The Select Committee also has a good-faith basis for concluding that the President and members of his Campaign engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 371," a filing from the House Select Committee on January 6 states, adding, "The evidence supports an inference that President Trump, Plaintiff, and several others entered into an agreement to defraud the United States by interfering with the election certification process, disseminating false information about election fraud, and pressuring state officials to alter state election results and federal officials to assist in that effort. As noted above, in particular, the President and Plaintiff worked jointly to attempt to persuade the Vice President to use his position on January 6, 2021, to reject certified electoral slates submitted by certain States and/or to delay the proceedings by sending the count back to the States. Plaintiff first crafted a “plan” to justify this course of action. Plaintiff and the President then met and spoke with the Vice President and members of his staff on several occasions on January 4-6 in an attempt to execute Plaintiff’s plan. Plaintiff continued these efforts to persuade the Vice President via ongoing conversations with the Vice President’s staff, and the President employed numerous public statements to exert additional pressure on Pence. The evidence developed to date indicates that these actions were all part of a concerted effort to achieve a common goal: to prevent or delay the certification of the 2020 presidential election results."

Mark Leverett to Lance Hines

Little Rock District Judge Mark Leverett, in an email to Vice Mayor Lance Hines but addressed to the entire Little Rock Board of Directors, takes issue with Hines' dismissal of violence-intervention programs as "hug-a-thug."

Monthly report from the Central Arkansas Library System's executive director

Monthly report from the Central Arkansas Library System's executive director

RutledgeTravelReceipts

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Mehta ruling on Trump Jan. 6 lawsuit

"Having considered the President’s January 6 Rally Speech in its entirety and in context, the court concludes that the President’s statements that, “[W]e fight. We fight like hell and if you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore,” and “[W]e’re going to try to and give [weak Republicans] the kind of pride and boldness that they need to take back our country,” immediately before exhorting rally-goers to “walk down Pennsylvania Avenue,” are plausibly words of incitement not protected by the First Amendment. It is plausible that those words were implicitly “directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and [were] likely to produce such action.”"

Arkansas Supreme Court sovereign immunity ruling

Justice Karen Baker writes: "Appellee, the League of Women Voters of Arkansas and Arkansas United, Dortha Dunlap, Leon Kaplan, Nell Matthews Mock, Jeffery Rust, and Patsy Watkins (“the League”) filed suit against appellants John Thurston, in his official capacity as the Secretary of State of the State of Arkansas; and Sharon Brooks, Bilenda Harris-Ritter, William Luther, Charles Roberts, James Sharp, and J. Harmon Smith, in their official capacities as members of the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners (“Thurston”) alleging that four acts passed by the 93rd Session of the Arkansas General Assembly were unconstitutional––Act 736, Act 973, Act 249, and Act 728. The League refers to the acts as the “Absentee Application Signature Match Requirement,” the “In-Person Ballot Receipt Deadline,” the “Voter ID Affidavit Prohibition,” and the “Voter Support Ban,” respectively. Thurston moved to dismiss based on sovereign immunity. The circuit court denied the motion."

District judge ruling in House redistricting case

Lee Rudofsky writes, "The Plaintiffs are the Arkansas State Conference NAACP (“the Arkansas NAACP”) and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel (“the Panel”). The Defendants are the Arkansas Board of Apportionment (“the Board”), the Board’s three members, and the State of Arkansas. The Board’s three members—who are sued in their official capacities only—are Governor Asa Hutchinson, Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, and Secretary of State John Thurston. The sole claim alleged in the Complaint is that the 2021 reapportionment plan for the Arkansas House of Representatives (“the Board Plan”), which was approved by the Board, “dilutes Black voting strength in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act." Rudofsky then finds the plaintiffs lack standing: "After a thorough analysis of the text and structure of the Voting Rights Act, and a painstaking journey through relevant caselaw, the Court has concluded that this case may be brought only by the Attorney General of the United States. Before dismissing this case, however, the Court will give the United States five calendar days from the date of this Order to join the case as a plaintiff. If the United States chooses to become a plaintiff in this case, it is the Court’s intention to move expeditiously to a final merits determination."

Biden Trudeau Hutchinson trucker mandate

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is among the U.S. governors (and two Canadian premiers) who signed a letter urging U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to "immediately reinstate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions available to cross border truck drivers," as a truckers protest in Ottawa, Ontario, over covid-19 vaccine mandates (coronavirus) stretched into its third week.

Little Rock Violence Reduction Act 2022

The Little Rock Board of Directors' February 2022 resolution is titled, "A resolution to authorize the city manager to enter into a contracts with ten organizations, to provide community violence reduction services and activities to the residents of little rock in an effort to reduce community violence and increase public safety; and for other purposes."

Arkansas public schools annual statistical report

The Arkansas Department of Education's Annual Statistical report for 2020-2021 recaps budgets for public and charter schools.

Analyses on Arkansas' schools covid pandemic impac

Schools in Arkansas closed for in-person instruction March 17, 2020 by order of Governor Hutchinson. The temporary closure was expended to April 17 on March 19, 2020 and extended for the remainder of the school year on April 6 of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic emergency. During the in-person closure schools were instructed to follow their approved Alternate Means of Instruction plans and to focus on essential standards already covered during the school year. During the summer of 2020 the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education released information for districts to submit Arkansas Ready to Learn plans to ensure continuity of learning during the 2020-21 school year (henceforth referred to as 2021school year) in the event of further outbreaks. Districts were required to offer, at a minimum, 5 days of in-person instruction for families opting for it. In addition, districts could submit plans to offer fully virtual and/or hybrid options (in-person and virtual) for families.

111 Arkansas schools get ACT Aspire waivers

Arkansas gave waivers to 111 school districts in which 95% of students did not take the ACT Aspire exam at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

Judge blocks climate damage estimate

In a ruling on the Biden's administration's efforts to increase the projected cost of carbon, the court writes, "To be clear, the Court is ruling only on the actions of the federal agencies and whether the agencies, by implementing the estimates and considering global effects — violate the APA and whether President Biden upon signing EO 13990, violated the separations of powers clause of the United States Constitution. The Court has the authority to enjoin federal agencies from implementing a rule—mandated by an executive order or not— that violates the APA or violates the separation of powers clause. Importantly, the Court is not opining as to the scientific issues regarding greenhouse gas emissions, their effects on the environment, or whether they contribute to global warming."

5th Circuit order upholds block on vaccine mandate

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled 2-1 Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, to maintain a block on the federal employee coronavirus vaccine mandate that a Texas-based federal judge had issued on Jan. 21. The administration had asked the New Orleans court for an injunction allowing the federal worker covid vaccine mandate to move forward pending appeal.

Mayor Frank Scott Jr. travel records

Records detail Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s travel expenses to Washington, D.C., in late 2021 and early 2022.

NCSC assessment of Washington County courts

"The Washington County Quorum Court sought information to better understand the nature and dynamic of the offender population, its propensity to grow and change in the future, and how they affect the planning elements within the criminal justice system. National Center for State Courts experts worked closely with Washington County officials to determine the best approach for this study and utilized a mixed-methods approach that combined primary data collected through onsite observation and interviews and secondary data including literature reviews and existing organizational and administrative data. Quantitative custody and court data were employed to develop a statistically valid time series forecast."

Leana Houston on public defenders' caseloads

Leana Houston, chief deputy in the 4th Judicial District public defender's office, writes a letter explaining the problems of the office's increasing caseload.

DHS clears Empower Healthcare Solutions

Per the Arkansas Department of Human Services' Division of Medical Services, "Empower Healthcare Solutions has fulfilled all of the requirements within the stipulated timeframes. DHS has determined that these requirements were met and has finalized the formal readiness review. DHS will continue to monitor Empower and will hold regular meetings with Empower for enhanced monitoring. Effective February 1, 2022, DHS will cease daily payment reviews with the [Provider-Led Arkansas Shared Savings Entity]. On February 7, 2022, auto assignments to the PASSE will resume."

Henderson State chancellor's letter

Chancellor Chuck Ambrose, in February 2022, announces that he is proposing a "situation of financial exigency" for the campus, citing a projected cash shortfall of $12.5 million between the time of the letter and June 30, 2022. "Our current long-term debt has grown from $14 million to $78 million, requiring annual debt service payments of $6.9 million. We have no funds available in financial reserves, including a $6 million loan from the State of Arkansas. Effective on February 28, 2022, each employee on our campus, with the exception of those who are not funded by state funds, will have to take one furlough day per week. We are also implementing immediate salary reductions for certain academic administrators on our campus. As we attempt to redefine the scope and role of HSU as an institution of higher education, we are going to make changes to our management structure to ensure that our resources are allocated appropriately. Sadly, this process will ultimately involve program elimination and a reallocation of resources into the programs that best serve our students and community."

Henderson State financial presentation

A PowerPoint presentation for Henderson State University focuses on "Financial Exigency," saying the Arkadelphia university will immediately begin the process of declaring it: "The 2016 Faculty Handbook provides that “[a] financial exigency will be certified when a unit (college or school) of the University or the University itself is threatened by a financial crisis that cannot be ameliorated by means less drastic than the reduction or elimination of programs which results in the termination of personnel. The financial exigency process can include the elimination or reduction of academic programs and noninstructional programs. It is distinct from and implemented on a much faster timeline than program reduction or elimination undertaken as part of a formal academic planning exercise."

Rutledge's response to Carpenter's FOI request

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge responds to the Little Rock city attorney's request for an opinion on the Freedom of Information Act request involving Police Chief Keith Humphrey.

Carpenter's FOI letter to Rutledge

The Little Rock city attorney writes to Attorney General Leslie Rutledge for her opinion on a Freedom of Information Act issue involving Police Chief Keith Humphrey.

Desegregation judge order on legal fees

"The Pulaski County Special School District and the McClendon Intervenors tried to resolve the attorney's fees issue, as the Court requested, but were unable to do so. The Court appreciates those efforts. (The Court has ignored the snippets of the parties' negotiations that made it into the record.) The Intervenors have amended their fee motion twice, which has complicated the Court's review. PCSSD's motion to strike those amended papers, however, is denied. The District's helpful charts and comprehensive analysis of the original request have helped the Court sort the updated materials. Out-of-pocket expenses are undisputed. The Court directs reimbursement of the $5,968.75 incurred. The Court also awards a reasonable attorney's fee of $319,129.38. The total is $325,098.13."

CALS director's report on tax-cut request

Nate Coulter, executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System, writes, "During the fall campaign we told voters that if they would increase their property taxes for operating the library we could come back in 2022 with another proposal to lower their taxes dedicated to capital improvements. To honor that commitment we want to ask the city to put the capital millage on the regular primary ballot in May. This will be less expensive for the library and less controversial for the city board than another special election sometime later in 2022. To be on the May 24 ballot we need to present our petition to the city board by early March. The law requires 70 days’ notice to the election commission which would be March 15. Waiting until the February 24 meeting would be cutting it close so I would like to proceed this week with getting authority to start circulating a petition seeking a reduction of 0.5 mills in the capital millage collected in Little Rock from its current 1.8 mills to 1.3 mills."

GAO review of Health and Human Services covid response

In a report on the government's response to the coronavirus, or covid-19, crisis, "the Government Accountability Office makes five new recommendations in the areas of emergency rental assistance, nutrition assistance, and tax relief for businesses. GAO is also designating the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) leadership and coordination of a range of public health emergencies as high risk. This designation is in keeping with long-standing efforts to identify federal programs needing transformation, and to help ensure sustained executive branch and congressional attention so the nation is prepared for future emergencies."

Biden health insurance numbers

In a Jan. 27, 2022, statement, President Joe Biden said, "Health care should be a right, not a privilege, for all Americans. And one year into my Administration, we are making that right a reality for a record number of people — bringing down costs and increasing access for families across the country. Today, I am proud to announce that since November 1st, 14.5 million Americans have signed up for quality, affordable health coverage, including more than 10 million who enrolled through HealthCare.gov — the highest numbers ever produced in an open enrollment period. New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that one in seven uninsured Americans got covered between the end of 2020 and September 2021, with lower-income Americans gaining coverage at the highest rate."

Virginia AG's opinion on vaccines at colleges

Jason S. Miyares, the newly elected attorney general of Virginia, issued his first legal opinion on January 28, 2022, on whether state universities could require covid-19 vaccines. In his opinion, he writes, "With regard to immunizations, the General Assembly has made clear the immunizations that are required for a student to enroll in an institution of higher education. Under § 23.1-800 of the Code of Virginia, “each student shall be immunized by vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles (rubeola), German measles (rubella), and mumps” prior to enrollment “for the first time in any baccalaureate public institution of higher education.” Students may not register for a second semester or quarter until they have furnished “documented evidence, provided by a licensed health professional or health facility, of the diseases for which [they] ha[ve] been immunized.” Under long-established law, “[w]hen faced with a choice between a specific and general statute, the former is controlling.” Thus, when determining what immunizations a university may require its students to receive," the more specific statute governing student vaccination takes precedence over the more general authority.

Defense Secretary Austin civilian casualty memo

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin writes, "The protection of civilians is fundamentally consistent with the effective, efficient, and decisive use of force in pursuit of U.S. national interests, and our efforts to mitigate and respond to civilian harm are a direct reflection of U.S. values."

Judge tosses vaccine mandate for federal employees

On President Joe Biden's mandate that federal employees get a coronavirus vaccine, "The court is cognizant of the “equitable and constitutional questions raised by the rise of nationwide injunctions.” Dep’t of Homeland Sec. v. New York, 140 S. Ct. 599, 601 (2020) (Gorsuch, J., concurring); see also Trump v. Hawaii, 138 S. Ct. 2393, 2428–29 (2018) (Thomas, J., concurring). But it does not seem that tailoring relief is practical in this case. The lead plaintiff, Feds for Medical Freedom, has more than 6,000 members spread across every state and in nearly every federal agency, and is actively adding new members. The court fears that “limiting the relief to only those before [it] would prove unwieldy and would only cause more confusion.” Georgia, 2021 WL 5779939, at *12. So, “on the unique facts before it,” the court believes the best course is “to issue an injunction with nationwide applicability.”"

Texas AG denies Public Information Act violations

Austin Kinghorn, writing as general counsel to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, rejects claims that the office violated the state's Public Information Act in a letter that was provided to the Texas Tribune.

Arizona Democratic Party censures Sinema

In a statement, Raquel Teran explains the decision by the Arizona Democratic Party to censure Sen. Sinema for not voting to end the filibuster on a voting-rights bill, saying that the decision was a consequence of Sinema's "failure to do whatever it takes to ensure the health of our democracy."

Superseding agreement in Simon Ang case

The superseding agreement in the case of former University of Arkansas, Fayetteville employee Simon Ang.

Plea agreement in Simon Ang case

The plea agreement in the case of former University of Arkansas, Fayetteville employee Simon Ang.

Gang Chen China case dismissed

Statement from U.S. Attorney Rachael S. Rollins on the Dismissal of the Gang Chen Case: “Today’s dismissal of the criminal charges against Gang Chen is a result of our continued investigation into this matter. Through that effort, we recently obtained additional information pertaining to the materiality of Professor Chen’s alleged omissions in the context of the grant review process at issue in this case. After a careful assessment of this new information in the context of all the evidence, our office has concluded that we can no longer meet our burden of proof at trial. As prosecutors, we have an obligation in every matter we pursue to continually examine the facts while being open to receiving and uncovering new information. We understand that our charging decisions deeply impact people’s lives. As United States Attorney, I will always encourage the prosecutors in our office to engage in this type of rigorous and continued review at every stage of a proceeding. Today’s dismissal is a result of that process and is in the interests of justice.”

Federal Reserve's "Age of Digital Transformation"

From the Federal Reserve's report, "Money and Payments: The U.S. Dollar in the Age of Digital Transformation, January 2022": "This paper is the first step in a public discussion between the Federal Reserve and stakeholders about central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). For the purpose of this paper, a CBDC is defined as a digital liability of a central bank that is widely available to the general public. In this respect, it is analogous to a digital form of paper money. The paper has been designed to foster a broad and transparent public dialogue about CBDCs in general, and about the potential benefits and risks of a U.S. CBDC. The paper is not intended to advance any specific policy outcome, nor is it intended to signal that the Federal Reserve will make any imminent decisions about the appropriateness of issuing a U.S. CBDC."

Jan. 6 Committee letter to Ivanka Trump

In a letter dated January 20, 2022, the Select Committee investigating the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol contacted Ivanka Trump to ask for her voluntary cooperation with questions about the actions on that day by her father, then-President Donald Trump.

Supreme Court ruling in Trump v Thompson

"The application for stay of mandate and injunction pending review presented to THE CHIEF JUSTICE and by him referred to the Court is denied. The questions whether and in what circumstances a former President may obtain a court order preventing disclosure of privileged records from his tenure in office, in the face of a determination by the incumbent President to waive the privilege, are unprecedented and raise serious and substantial concerns. The Court of Appeals, however, had no occasion to decide these questions because it analyzed and rejected President Trump’s privilege claims “under any of the tests [he] advocated,” Trump v. Thompson, 20 F. 4th 10, 33 (CADC 2021), without regard to his status as a former President, id., at 40–46. Because the Court of Appeals concluded that President Trump’s claims would have failed even if he were the incumbent, his status as a former President necessarily made no difference to the court’s decision."

Virginia bill on "Lincoln-Douglass" debate

Virginia House Bill No. 781, filed in 2022, includes Section B, which confuses Democratic Party Sen. Stephen Douglas with American abolitionist Frederick Douglass: "B. The Board shall, in furtherance of the citizens skills portion of the 5 C's in the Profile of a Virginia Graduate, incorporate into each relevant Standard of Learning and associated curriculum framework a requirement that each student demonstrate the understanding of: 1. The fundamental moral, political, and intellectual foundations of the American experiment in self-government, as well as the history, qualities, traditions, and features of civic engagement in the United States; 2. The structure, function, and processes of government institutions at the federal, state, and local levels; and 3. The founding documents of the United States, including the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, the Federalist Papers, including Essays 10 and 51, excerpts from Alexis de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, the first debate between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, and the writings of the Founding Fathers of the United States."

Supreme Court's ruling on vaccine mandate for larger businesses

The Supreme Court, considering a vaccine mandate, rules, "Although Congress has indisputably given OSHA the power to regulate occupational dangers, it has not given that agency the power to regulate public health more broadly. Requiring the vaccination of 84 million Americans, selected simply because they work for employers with more than 100 employees, certainly falls in the latter category."

Statement on Petito-Laundrie Incident

"After a formal complaint was filed with the Moab [Utah] City Police Department, an independent law enforcement agency has completed a thorough review of the August 12, 2021 domestic violence incident involving Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie. The independent agency’s investigative report finds that the officers who responded to the incident made several unintentional mistakes that stemmed from the fact that officers failed to cite Ms. Petito for domestic violence. The City acknowledges that this finding may raise questions, and the issue is examined extensively in the investigative report."

Jan. 6 Committee letters to social media CEOs

"Pursuant to the authorities set forth in House Resolution 503 and the rules of the House of Representatives, the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol (“Select Committee”) hereby transmits a subpoena" to social media firms including YouTube/Google parent Alphabet, Facebook parent Meta, and Twitter and Reddit.

Tooti Tooti symmetry math exercise

A $25,000 prize for developing an innovative math lesson plan has been awarded to Chaim Goodman-Strauss, a math professor at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. In the activities, envelopes are used to create planar patterns with four kinds of 2-fold rotational symmetries, a symmetry called 2222, or Tooti Tooti. "This lesson is just one example of a wider mathematical phenomenon: every planar symmetry has a kind of “envelope” associated with it, and we can learn mathematical facts about symmetry by studying these."

GOP responses to January 6, 2021, anniversary

In statements released on Jan. 6, 2022, former President Donald Trump, Sen. Mitch McConnell, Sen. Mitt Romney, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Rep. Tom Rice and former Vice President Dick Cheney react to the anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021, and to the speech by President Joe Biden.

January 6 Committee filing opposing Trump filing

"Based on a straightforward application of this Court’s precedents, the court of appeals rejected a challenge by Petitioner, former President Donald J. Trump, to a request for certain Presidential records from the House of Representatives Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. The Select Committee is charged with investigating an unprecedented attack on Congress itself and a disruption of the peaceful transfer of Presidential power. This investigation will lead to specific legislative recommendations designed to prevent any future attacks on the democratic institutions of our Republic."

2021 Port Infrastructure Development Program grants

Among the awards given out by Pete Buttigieg's Department of Transportation are this one: "Port of Little Rock Mooring Upgrade Project (awarded $3,079,845): The project will restore and expand the port’s current barge fleeting capacity on the Arkansas River, which is part of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigational System (MKARNS). The project will replace fifteen unsafe deadman ground anchors that are near the end of their useful lives with steel monopile dolphins. It will install an additional thirty-two dolphins in other locations."

Trump appeal to Supreme Court

Donald Trump's filing in Trump v. Thompson states: "The United States House of Representatives’ Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol issued a “sweeping” request, seeking many of President Trump’s confidential presidential records. The request implicates important constitutional and statutory concerns arising from the Presidential Records Act, separation of powers, and executive privilege. Nevertheless, the Biden Administration now seeks to produce those records to the Committee, and will do so, absent court intervention. The question presented is: Whether the Committee’s records request violates the Constitution or laws of the United States entitling President Trump to a preliminary injunction prohibiting production of the records to the Committee."

Jen Psaki's response to Joe Manchin

Press Secretary Jen Psaki writes, "Senator Manchin’s comments this morning on FOX are at odds with his discussions this week with the President, with White House staff, and with his own public utterances. Weeks ago, Senator Manchin committed to the President, at his home in Wilmington, to support the Build Back Better framework that the President then subsequently announced. Senator Manchin pledged repeatedly to negotiate on finalizing that framework “in good faith.” ... Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning, we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again, to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word. In the meantime, Senator Manchin will have to explain to those families paying $1,000 a month for insulin why they need to keep paying that, instead of $35 for that vital medicine."

Loretta Cochran resignation October 2021

Loretta Cochran resigns from the position of Little Rock Labor Relations Analyst II, EEO investigator, effective October 29, 2021.

Arkansas revenue forecast December 2021

From the state Department of Finance and Administration: "In response to tax changes passed in the Second Extraordinary Session of 2021, I am providing a revised Official General Revenue Forecast for planning purposes for the 2021–2023 Biennium and Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 in the next biennium. The tax changes from the extraordinary session begin on January 1, 2022 with estimated reductions in general revenue of -$135.25 million in FY 2022, -$307.40 million in FY 2023, -$383.2 million in FY 2024, -$459.00 million in FY 2025, and -$497.90 million in FY 2026."

Newsom statement on SCOTUS abortion decision

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom on Dec. 11, 2021, issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court Decision allowing Texasʼs ban on most abortion services to remain in place: “I am outraged by yesterdayʼs U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing Texasʼs ban on most abortion services to remain in place, and largely endorsing Texasʼs scheme to insulate its law from the fundamental protections of Roe v. Wade. But if states can now shield their laws from review by the federal courts that compare assault weapons to Swiss Army knives, then California will use that authority to protect peopleʼs lives, where Texas used it to put women in harmʼs way. I have directed my staff to work with the Legislature and the Attorney General on a bill that would create a right of action allowing private citizens to seek injunctive relief, and statutory damages of at least $10,000 per violation plus costs and attorneyʼs fees, against anyone who manufactures, distributes, or sells an assault weapon or ghost gun kit or parts in the State of California. If the most efficient way to keep these devastating weapons off our streets is to add the threat of private lawsuits, we should do just that.”

2020 presidential election voter fraud PowerPoint

A PowerPoint presentation, which is similar but not identical to the one presented to the committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, contains talking points: "1. The Chinese systematically gained control over our election system constituting a national security emergency. 2. The electronic voting machines were compromised and cannot be trusted to provide an accurate vote count. 3. To restore confidence the “failsafe” of counting the paper ballots must be used to determine who won the election for President, Senators, Congressional Representatives. 4. Hand counts reported by the media are not really hand counts and easily subverted." In addition, the presentation argues, "China has leveraged financial, non-governmental and foreign allies including Venezuela to acquire INFLUENCE and CONTROL US Voting Infrastructure in at least 28 States," and "Critical Infrastructure control utilized as part of ongoing globalist/socialist operation to subvert the will of United States Voters and install a China ally," meaning Joe Biden.

Larger Jacksonville Middle School requested

In this court filing requesting new classrooms, "Jacksonville North Pulaski School District by and through its attorney, Scott P. Richardson, McDaniel, Wolff & Benca, PLLC, and states for its Motion for Approval of Middle School Construction: 1. JNPSD completed construction of the new Jacksonville Middle School this summer. When the middle school planning started, in the 2015-16 school year, middle school enrollment stood at about 700 scholars. JNPSD anticipated approximately 15% growth at the middle school over the ensuing ten years. Had that grown at that rate, there would have been about 811 scholars enrolled at the middle school in the 2025-26 school year."

Jan. 6 committee subpoenas 6 people

The House Committee investigation the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has issued subpoenas to Robert “Bobby” Peede Jr., a former director of the White House advance team; Max Miller, a former Trump White House aide; Brian Jack, Trump’s former political affairs director, who reached out to several members of Congress to ask them to speak at the Jan. 6 rally; Bryan Lewis, who obtained the permit for the event to “urge Congress to nullify electoral votes from states that made illegal changes to voting rules during their elections;” Ed Martin, an organizer of the Stop the Steal movement; and Kimberly Fletcher and her organization, Moms For America.

Little Rock Superintendent Poore's retirement letter

In announcing his intent to retire at the end of the 2021-22 school year, Little Rock School District Superintendent Mike Poore writes, "Dear LRSD Family, When you write a letter such as this and start with the word "family," you quickly realize it might just be something kind of big. Family is how I think of all that are tied to LRSD. We have cried together, gotten upset with each other, then hugged and made up. We have celebrated so many accomplishments. I hope we have all had fun as we worked each day to improve the lives of the students we serve. We, the family, are the staff of LRSD, we are the students of LRSD, we are the parents of LRSD, and we are the business and the faith-based community of LRSD. The family is some kind of good, and I am blessed to be a part of each of you. This letter is to share my intent to retire at the end of this contract. I am not running from this school district, but instead running to my family. I have a grandbaby who needs to see me regularly (maybe it is her Pappy who needs to see her), I want to take part in my kids' adult life in a more meaningful way, and I want to run to my parents and join in their activities. Finally, I want something different for me and Marianne. It takes a great deal of sacrifice to be married to a guy like me. Marianne and I want to go and do!"

List of journalists killed, jailed in 2021

The International Federation of Journalists releases its 2021 Killed List, in which fewer journalists were killed than in 2020, but 136 more journalists have been imprisoned.

Trump v Thompson case on release of records

Justices with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in a hearing over the release of Donald Trump's documents on the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, write, "Former President Trump has not shown that he is entitled to a preliminary injunction. We do not come to that conclusion lightly. The confidentiality of presidential communications is critical to the effective functioning of the Presidency for the reasons that former President Trump presses, and his effort to vindicate that interest is itself a right of constitutional import. But our Constitution divides, checks, and balances power to preserve democracy and to ensure liberty. For that reason, the executive privilege for presidential communications is a qualified one that Mr. Trump agrees must give way when necessary to protect overriding interests."

UA Drug, Alcohol Amnesty Policy 2021

The University of Arkansas is committed to the safety and welfare of its students. It is critical for the safety of the campus community that students immediately call for help when they are faced with an alcohol- or drug-related emergency that requires immediate medical intervention for themselves or others. To encourage students to seek emergency medical care in these situations, the University has instituted this Amnesty protocol.

NSBA apologizes for Biden letter October 2021

The National School Boards Association writes, "As you all know, there has been extensive media and other attention recently around our letter to President Biden regarding threats and acts of violence against school board members. We wanted to write to you directly to address this matter. On behalf of NSBA, we regret and apologize for the letter. To be clear, the safety of school board members, other public school officials and educators, and students is our top priority, and there remains important work to be done on this issue. However, there was no justification for some of the language included in the letter. We should have had a better process in place to allow for consultation on a communication of this significance. We apologize also for the strain and stress this situation has caused you and your organizations."

NSBA letter to Biden 2021

In a letter to President Joe Biden, the National School Boards Association writes, "America’s public schools and its education leaders are under an immediate threat," asking for "federal law enforcement and other assistance to deal with the growing number of threats of violence and acts of intimidation occurring across the nation." The NSBA later had to apologize after also writing, "As these acts of malice, violence, and threats against public school officials have increased, the classification of these heinous actions could be the equivalent to a form of domestic terrorism and hate crimes."

Arkansas School Boards Association proposal to leave national group

Tony Prothro, executive director of the Arkansas School Boards Association, writes, "Due to ongoing issues, ASBA did not pay its dues on July 1, 2021 to NSBA and has not paid those dues to date. At its next meeting, the ASBA board of directors will vote on the continued membership with NSBA. On December 8, school district delegates from each school district in Arkansas will be asked to vote on amendments that will decide any future affiliation with NSBA in relation to the ASBA bylaws."

Goldman Recycling warehouse fire report

The Little Rock Fire Department has released a report on the fire at Goldman Recycling, 1701 East 14th Street, on Sept. 21, 2021.

[DOCUMENT: Letter from state AG's office to Medicaid officials

This is the letter from the Arkansas Attorney General's office to state Medicaid officials regarding its Medicaid fraud investigation into Empower.

Letter from state Inspector General's office

This is a letter from the Arkansas Inspector General's office to state Medicaid officials regarding the fraud investigation into Empower.

DHS Letter to Empower Members

DHS Letter to Empower Members

Summary of 2021 Tax Bill

Department of Finance and Administration summary of the 2021 income tax bill

NIH letter to Rep. James Comer 10-2021

Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak writes to U.S. Rep. James Comer to review the National Institutes of Health's grant to EcoHealth Alliance, Inc., in a letter shared by Republicans as evidence that Dr. Anthony Fauci lied about not funding gain-of-function research. Supporters, however, say the issue is that EcoHealth Alliance did not report its findings on bat coronaviruses circulating in China.

Report on tanker hitting Louisiana oil platform

The National Transportation Safety Board report starts: "On October 17, 2020, at 0446 local time, the tanker Atina with a crew of 21 was attempting to anchor in the Southwest Pass Fairway Anchorage in the Gulf of Mexico, about 21.5 miles from Pilottown, Louisiana, when it struck the manned oil and gas production platform SP-57B.1 The platform’s four crewmembers and one technician evacuated to a nearby platform by helicopter after activating the emergency shutdown device to shut in wells to the SP-57B platform. No pollution or injuries were reported. Estimated damages to the platform ($72.3 million) and vessel ($598,400) totaled $72.9 million."

2021 report on oil, gas leasing program

"This report responds to Executive Order 14008, "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad," which directed the Department of the Interior (DOI) to conduct a review of Federal oil and gas leasing and permitting practices. This report considers both onshore and offshore oil and gas leasing programs in light of the Secretary of the Interior’s broad stewardship responsibilities over public lands and Federal offshore waters."

Panel comments on legislative redistricting 2021

The Arkansas Public Policy Panel and the Arkansas Citizens First Congress report says, "Arkansas’ Board of Apportionment proposed new district boundaries for the Arkansas House and Senate on October 30, 2021. Analysis of the proposal, based on the criteria that governs Arkansas’ redistricting process, found that the proposed maps ignore most of the required criteria for redistricting at almost every turn. The proposed district lines are politically and racially gerrymandered. They divide communities unnecessarily to serve political ends and marginalize the ability of racial and ethnic groups to influence the outcome of elections."

Boris Johnson's letter to France's Macron

In a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson formally requests "making urgent progress towards one of my previous proposals by establishing joint patrols" on human trafficking.

LR Parks and Recreation director's letter of resignation

The resignation letter of John Eckart, director of Little Rock's Parks and Recreation department

Federal Reserve minutes November 2021

A joint meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System was held in the offices of the Board of Governors on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. and continued on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.

Natural Immunity Is Real Act 20211122

From Senate Bill 2846: "This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Natural Immunity Is 5 Real Act’’. Pursuant to any regulation promulgated by a Federal agency and related to the public health emergency declared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d) with respect to COVID–19, the applicable agency shall acknowledge, accept, agree to truthfully present, and incorporate, the consideration of natural immunity as it pertains to COVID–19 with respect to the individuals subject to the applicable regulations. For purposes of this section, the term ‘‘natural immunity’’ means immunity that is naturally existing."

Florida covid immunity law 20211122

A law in Florida specifies that "a private employer may not impose a covid-19 vaccination mandate for any full-time, part-time, or contract employee without providing individual exemptions that allow an employee to opt out of such requirement on the basis of medical reasons, including, but not limited to, pregnancy or anticipated pregnancy; religious reasons; COVID-19 immunity; periodic testing; and the use of employer-provided personal protective equipment."

Arkansas income tax bill 2021

A proposed Arkansas income tax bill would, among other things, reduce the tax tables from three to two by combining the lower and middle tables.

Clinton Foundation auditor report 12-31-2020

An independent auditor's report reviews the financial statements of the Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation for 2020.

Clinton Foundation tax forms 2020

The Clinton Family Foundation's Form 990 and extension shows the organization's tax filings for the 2020 tax year.

Interior Department guideline on 'squaw'

In an order from Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, "The term “squaw” is hereby declared to be derogatory, and all existing Federal geographic names using the term will be treated in accordance with the BGN’s Policy V: Derogatory and Offensive Names."

Catholic Bishops communion document 20211117

Although the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops did not mention abortion or the presidency in their document on communion, they wrote, "It is the role of the laity in particular to transform social relations in accord with the love of Christ, which is carried out concretely in actions that work for the objective common good. Lay people, 'conscious of their call to holiness by virtue of their baptismal vocation, have to act as leaven in the dough to build up a temporal city in keeping with God's project. [Consistency] between faith and life in the political, economic, and social realm[s] requires formation of conscience, which translates into knowing the Church?s social doctrine.' Lay people who exercise some form of public authority have a special responsibility to form their consciences in accord with the Church's faith and the moral law, and to serve the human family by upholding human life and dignity."

Little Rock ordinance on city manager 20211115

A proposed Little Rock ordinance specifies, "Prior to the settlement of any litigation in which the City, or an employee or other person hired by the City, is a party, the City Attorney or his authorized representative, shall have informed each member of the Board of Directors, including the Mayor, of the nature of the litigation, the nature of any proposed settlement, and the right to discuss potential settlement in a public meeting; provided, that all such determinations shall be conducted in accordance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act."

Blackshire estate letter 20211114

While the Blackshire family was very troubled by this late-coming request and we were initially inclined to increase our demand, we are willing to continue making progress in these discussions in good faith. In light of these new developments and the latest offer extended by the City, we will reduce our demand to $635,000, inclusive of fees and costs.

Glasgow Climate Pact 20211113

The Glasgow Climate Pact begins, "Recognizing the role of multilateralism in addressing climate change and promoting regional and international cooperation in order to strengthen climate action in the context of sustainable development and efforts to eradicate poverty, Acknowledging the devastating impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the importance of ensuring a sustainable, resilient and inclusive global recovery, showing solidarity particularly with developing country Parties, Also acknowledging that climate change is a common concern of humankind, Parties should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights, the right to health, the rights of indigenous peoples, local communities, migrants, children, persons with disabilities and people in vulnerable situations and the right to development, as well as gender equality, empowerment of women and intergenerational equity..."

Amended complaint in Terry House case 20211113

The Plaintiffs, Susan Terry Borné, Elizabeth Terry Foti, Mary Catherine Drennan, Leonard John Drennan III, Margaret Yatsevitch and Michael Yatsevitch, as and on behalf of the heirs of Adolphine Fletcher Terry and Mary Fletcher Drennan, both deceased, and for their cause of action against the Defendants, City of Little Rock, Arkansas, the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, formerly known as the Arkansas Arts Center, and the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation, formerly known as the Arkansas Arts Center Foundation.

'After Action Report' I-40 bridge recommendations

The Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Human Resources Division continued a review of the personnel involved in the Bridge’s inspection beginning in 2014, as well as a review of ARDOT’s overall Heavy Bridge Maintenance Inspection Program (HBM Program) policies and procedures. ARDOT’s investigator was given full authority and reported directly to the Director. The results of the investigation are given in this document.

Final report on I-40 bridge fracture

The ARDOT Bridge Inspection Program Assessment Final Report documents improvement opportunity recommendations, supporting discussions, and commendable practices resulting from the assessment performed by an FHWA team.

Analysis suggests cause of I-40 bridge crack

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ArDOT), joint owners of the Interstate 40 bridge, assembled a team of consultants and a contractor to inspect and repair the bridge. Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. was retained to complete the forensic investigation of the fracture.

8th Circuit ruling

8th Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling

Casino dispute documents

Letters from casino attorneys to and from the Racing Commission chairman

Mark Lamberth letter to Dustin McDaniel

Mark Lamberth letter to Dustin McDaniel

Dustin McDaniel Nov. 8 letter to Mark Lamberth

Dustin McDaniel Nov. 8 letter to Mark Lamberth

Casey Castleberry letter to Mark Lamberth

Casey Castleberry letter to Mark Lamberth

Dustin McDaniel Nov. 4 letter to Mark Lamberth

Dustin McDaniel Nov. 4 letter to Mark Lamberth

Segal Group's report

Segal Group's draft report to the Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research on state and public school employee's health benefits.

Read school districts' petition

School districts' petition

Proposed goals for LRSD

The Little Rock School Board at a special meeting Thursday, Nov. 11, will consider a proposed set of goals for Superintendent Mike Poore to pursue in regard to student achievement, student enrollment, employee salaries and other areas of operations.

Huntsville School District brief 20211107

The Huntsville School District wants a federal judge to deny The Madison County Record’s motion to intervene in a case involving allegations of sexual abuse among boys on the middle school basketball team. In this filing: The Court should deny the Motion to Intervene (Docket No. 15) filed by Madison County Record, Inc. (“the Record”). Based upon Eighth Circuit precedent and the facts at issue in the present case, specifically including the sensitive nature of information about minors which will be involved therein, intervention is inappropriate. The Record’s common law right to access judicial records is greatly outweighed by the privacy concerns involved in this case.

Entergy long-range plan 20211107

This document describes Entergy Arkansas, LLC’s long-term Integrated Resource Plan for the study period 2023-2042 and is intended to provide stakeholders insight into the Company’s long-term planning process for meeting future demand and energy needs.

Madison County Record brief 20211107

The Huntsville School District wants a federal judge to deny The Madison County Record’s motion to intervene in a case involving allegations of sexual abuse among boys on the middle school basketball team. In this filing: Madison County Record, Inc. (the “Record”), for its motion to intervene under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 24(b), states: 1. Rebecca Nelle, as mother and next friend of B.N., a minor, sued the Huntsville School District on September 10, 2021. Doc. 2. 2. On September 22, 2021, the Huntsville School District (“District”) moved to limit pretrial publicity. Doc. 10.

5th Circuit vaccine stay

Because the petitions give cause to believe there are grave statutory and constitutional issues with the Mandate, the Mandate is hereby STAYED pending further action by this court.

Arkansas Energy Resources task force

"Extreme cold temperatures and snow in Arkansas and surrounding states during a February 2021 winter weather event disrupted fuel supply, primarily natural gas, for electricity generation and heating. Furthermore, some electric generating units underperformed during the event, and transmission constraints resulted in stranded capacity," according to a report from the Energy Resources Task Force.

Majid Khan letter 20211107

A letter proposes clemency for Majid Khan, who had been imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay.

HR3684 infrastructure bill

Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 3684) entitled ‘‘An Act to authorize funds for Federal-aid highways, highway safety programs, and transit programs, and for other purposes.’’, do pass.

Arkansas Adult Use and Expungement Marijuana Amendment petition

Petition for Arkansas Adult Use and Expungement Marijuana Amendment

Big Rock mountain bike park concept 20211101

A map shows the proposed Big Rock Bike Park in North Little Rock.

Trump documents filing 20211030

According to a sworn declaration from John Laster, director of the White House liaison division at the National Archives, President Donald Trump "made particularized assertions of executive privilege over 46 of these 136 pages of records (including seven pages of records that, as noted above, had been removed as non-responsive). He asserted privilege over: (i) daily presidential diaries, schedules, appointment information showing visitors to the White House, activity logs, call logs, and switchboard shift-change checklists showing calls to the President and Vice President, all specifically for or encompassing January 6, 2021 (30 pages); (ii) drafts of speeches, remarks, and correspondence concerning the events of January 6, 2021 (13 pages); and (iii) three handwritten notes concerning the events of January 6 from Mr. Meadows’ files (3 pages)."

2021 Proposed House Districts 20211030

Arkansas' proposed state House districts in 2021.

2021 Proposed Senate Districts 20211030

Proposed state Senate districts for Arkansas in 2021

Hutchinson CNN 20211024

Gov. Asa Hutchinson, on CNN's "State of the Union": "Well, the greatest concern Americans have right now is the rising cost of fuel, gasoline and groceries. And whenever you hear Speaker Pelosi talk about the trillion-dollar package, she -- it hasn't been written. It can't be explained. You did a great job asking her questions about it, but it was as clear as mud. And what that tells the American people is, we have got inflationary pressures that impact them. It's the cruelest tax. And now all we see is more government spending, a trillion-dollar plan that's out there, multi-trillion dollars, and it can't be explained. So it's really worrisome, as a governor, to hear what's planned. We do need the bipartisan infrastructure bill. It is critical for roads. It's for broadband. It's for water infrastructure. But this social engineering plan that they have that's trillions of dollars is simply going to add to inflationary pressures that's already costing the average American a great deal."

Mark Edwards or Mark Nelson 20211024

The personnel file for Mark Edwards of the Little Rock Police Department shows that his given name is Mark Nelson.

Yellen CNN State of Union 20211024

Janet Yellen, speaking on CNN's "State of the Union": "Well, I think what's under consideration is a proposal that Senator Wyden and the Senate Finance Committee have been looking at that would impose a tax on unrealized capital gains, on liquid assets held by extremely wealthy individuals, billionaires. I wouldn't call that a wealth tax. But it would help get at capital gains, which are an extraordinarily large part of the incomes of the wealthiest individuals, and right now escape taxation, until they're realized, and often they're unrealized in the death benefit from a so- called step up of basis. So, it's not a wealth tax, but a tax on unrealized capital gains of exceptionally wealthy individuals."

UA letter to Phi Gamma Delta 20211023

From the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville to Phi Gamma Delta: "This letter is in regards to the outcome of your organization's pending conduct matter regarding information that was provided to the Office of Student Standards and Conduct (OSSC) indicating that Phi Gamma Delta was involved in activities that were in violation of university policy. Specifically, OSSC received a report indicating that on September 13, 2021 your organization was alleged to have engaged in hazing activities."

Wisconsin Legislative Audit 20211023

The Legislative Audit Bureau supports the Legislature in its oversight of Wisconsin government and its promotion of efficient and effective state operations by providing nonpartisan, independent, accurate, and timely audits and evaluations of public finances and the management of public programs. Bureau reports typically contain reviews of financial transactions, analyses of agency performance or public policy issues, conclusions regarding the causes of problems found, and recommendations for improvement.

Garland memo on school board protests

From the office of Attorney General Merrick Garland: "In recent months, there has been a disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation's public schools. While spirited debate about policy matters is protected under our Constitution, that protection does not extend to threats of violence or efforts to intimidate individuals based on their views."

Cherokee v Gulfside casino Pope County 20211022

This appeal stems from ongoing litigation for the sole casino license for Pope County, Arkansas. The instant appeal returns to us a second time after our previous reversal and remand. Cherokee Nation Businesses, LLC v. Gulfside Casino P’ship, 2021 Ark. 17, at 9, 614 S.W.3d 811, 817 (“CNB I”). On June 28, 2021, the parties filed a joint motion to expedite this appeal, which we granted on July 2, 2021.

ADH school coronavirus report Oct. 19

ADH school coronavirus report Oct. 19

UAMS COVID-19 Forecasts, Projections, and Impact Assessments October 2021

UAMS COVID-19 Forecasts, Projections, and Impact Assessments October 2021

Ranu Jung UA job offer 20211017

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville offers Ranu Jung the post of distinguished professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, with a 12-month salary of $350,000.

Rebuild the Rock campaign-finance report filing

The final campaign-finance report filed by the "Rebuild the Rock" sales-tax campaign committee.

ITEX, Metropolitan Housing Authority emails 20211010

Emails released under the Freedom of Information Act show the correspondence between and about ITEX and the Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks Act

This Act may be cited as the "Helping American Victims Afflicted by Neurological Attacks Act of 2021" or the "HAVANA Act of 2021."

Department of Defense Climate Adaptation Plan

It is Department of Defense policy that all operations, planning activities, business processes, and resource allocation decisions include climate change considerations. The purpose of doing so is to ensure the military forces of the United States retain operational advantage under all conditions, leveraging efficiency and resilience to ensure our forces are agile, capable, and effective. Climate change adaptation must align with and support the Department’s warfighting requirements. As no entity has the luxury of “opting out” of the effects of climate change, no portion of the Department—not a Service, a Command, or an activity—can “opt out” of the requirement to adapt to a changing climate. Every element in the Department should consider appropriate ways to align their work to the initiatives and activities contained within this document.

Thompson, Cheney statement on Jan. 6 subpoenas

Referring to Steve Bannon, Committee Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) and Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) write, "While Mr. Meadows and Mr. Patel are, so far, engaging with the Select Committee, Mr. Bannon has indicated that he will try to hide behind vague references to privileges of the former President. The Select Committee fully expects all of these witnesses to comply with our demands for both documents and deposition testimony."

'Subverting Justice' report on Jan. 6, 2021

"FINDING 1: President Trump repeatedly asked DOJ leadership to endorse his false claims that the election was stolen and to assist his efforts to overturn the election results. Beginning on the day former Attorney General William Barr announced his resignation and continuing almost until the January 6 insurrection, Trump directly and repeatedly asked DOJ’s acting leadership to initiate investigations, file lawsuits on his behalf, and publicly declare the 2020 election “corrupt.” Documents and testimony confirm that Rosen, and in some cases other senior DOJ leaders, participated in several calls and meetings where Trump directly raised discredited claims of election fraud and asked why DOJ was not doing more to address them."

Senate Bill 739 of 2021

Senate Bill 739 of 2021

Senate Bill 730 of 2021

Senate Bill 730 of 2021

House Bill 1977 of 2021

House Bill 1977 of 2021

Senate Bill 732 of 2021

Senate Bill 732 of 2021

Trump vs. Twitter 10022021

Arguing that former President Donald Trump should have his Twitter account reinstated, lawyers write, "Plaintiff respectfully requests the Court to issue a preliminary injunction at the earliest possible date and enter the following Order: A. Enjoining and restraining Defendant and its officers, agents, servants, employees, attorneys, and other persons who are in active concert or participation with anyone falling under the direct or general control or supervision of Defendant from enforcing the suspension of Plaintiff’s access to its platform. B. Directing Defendant immediately, and no later than forty-eight (48) hours following the issuance of the Court’s Order, to reinstate Plaintiff’s access to its platform and lift all temporary or permanent bans on Plaintiff’s Twitter account(s).

Regulations on take of migratory birds 2021

SUMMARY: On January 7, 2021, we, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (we, the Service, or USFWS), published a final rule (January 7 rule) defining the scope of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) as it applies to conduct resulting in the injury or death of migratory birds protected by the MBTA. We now revoke that rule for the reasons set forth below. The immediate effect of this final rule is to return to implementing the MBTA as prohibiting incidental take and applying enforcement discretion, consistent with judicial precedent and longstanding agency practice prior to 2017.

CALS Director’s Report for Sept. 23, 2021

Nate Coulter, the Central Arkansas Library System director, writes, "Some of you may be concerned that the prospects for the library proposal look dimmer in the wake of the decisive defeat of the city sales tax on September 14th. While that election indicates a high level of voter skepticism existed with the proposed sales tax, I believe that the sales tax and library property tax elections present substantially different issues and a majority of voters will be able to distinguish between the features of the sales tax plan and those of CALS’ property tax referendum."

Staffing memo for Little Rock police, fire 09262021

Little Rock City Manager Bruce Moore writes in a memo, "The request was at the August 10, 2021, Board of Directors Agenda Meeting for Human Resources Staff to provide the following information regarding current staff levels in both the Little Rock Fire Department and Little Rock Police Department. According to staff, a factor to take into consideration is that both Departments transfer people, and the budget headcount does not keep up with transfers."

Tennessee school district responds to mask order 09252021

Bob Thomas, superintendent of the Knox County (Tenn.) School District, writes in an open letter on September 24, 2021, that U.S. District Judge Ronnie Greer has issued a preliminary injunction ordering the district "to immediately enforce the face covering mandate which was in place during the 2020-21 school year." Thomas says the district will review the injunction, but that "Beginning Monday, Sept. 27, all our students, employees, and visitors will be required to wear a face covering when indoors at one of our facilities or riding a school bus or shuttle, until further notice. Any individual with autism or with a tracheotomy is exempt; however, parents who have students with autism who can wear a face covering are encouraged to do so. Others with a documented medical condition may be exempted from this policy pending court approval." Thomas calls it "a sensitive topic," and adds, "I want to make very clear that we are required to implement this order."

Judge Greer order on mask-mandate bans 09252021

In a ruling for Tennessee on September 24, 2021, U.S. District Judge J. Ronnie Greer, "The Knox County Board of Education is hereby ENJOINED from enforcing its September 1, 2021 vote against a mask mandate in Knox County Schools. The Knox County Board of Education is ORDERED to enforce—with immediate effect—the mask mandate that was in place in all Knox County Schools during the 2020-2021 school year, as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA for Plaintiffs and Class Plaintiffs. Governor Lee is hereby ENJOINED from enforcing Executive Order No. 84 in Knox County or allowing parents in Knox County to opt out of the Knox County Board of Education’s mask mandate."

Tennessee governor mask opt-out order 09252021

From August 16, 2021: "I, Bill Lee, Governor of the State of Tennessee, having declared a continuing state of emergency by Executive Order No. 83, dated August 6, 2021, and by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Tennessee Constitution and other applicable law including Tennessee Code Annotated§ 58-2-107, do hereby order that a student's parent or guardian shall have the right to opt out of any order or requirement for a student in kindergarten through twelfth-grade to wear a face covering at school, on a school bus, or at school functions, by affirmatively notifying in writing the local education agency or personnel at the student's school."

Cyber Ninjas Draft Maricopa County Review 09252021

Billing it as "the most comprehensive and complex election audit ever conducted," Cyber Ninjas reviews its work in Maricopa County, Ariz., in a draft of their executive report presented Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. The firm said the review was "both encouraging and alarming," saying there were no substantial differences between the hand count of the ballots provided and the official canvass results for the county. But the report also accuses county officials of not cooperating with the work: "By the County withholding subpoena items, their unwillingness to answer questions as is normal between auditor and auditee, and in some cases actively interfering with audit research, the County prevented a complete audit."

Little Rock city attorney Carpenter emails 09242021

In a series of August 2021 emails, Little Rock City Attorney Tom Carpenter warns Mayor Frank Scott Jr. about a potential lawsuit against the city by Police Chief Keith Humphrey.

DDS Behavioral Consultation Committee Report Summary

The Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDS) set out in the fall of 2020 to conduct a thorough review of the restraint practices at the state’s five human development centers (HDC) and develop a comprehensive approach with the help of clinicians and advocates to significantly reduce the use of restraints on developmental and intellectually disabled clients living at the HDCs. This report outlines what is done today and recommendations made by the DDS Behavioral Consultation Committee, which was tasked with reviewing restraint usage and implementing new strategies to reduce the frequency of using restraints to ensure the safety of clients and nearby individuals, including staff.

The Kids Guide to the Coronavirus

In 2020, the state of Arkansas purchased copies of "The Kids Guide to the Coronavirus" from a firm affiliated with Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Purchase order 20210919

A purchase order for books from Learn Our History LLC, affiliated with former Gov. Mike Huckabee.

Arkansas 2020 invoice for books 09192021

An invoice for books ordered by the state of Arkansas in 2020 from a firm connected to Gov. Mike Huckabee

Sen. Elizabeth Warren letters 09152021

In a series of letters, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., writes "to share my concern regarding troubling reports that last year, as the Fed took extraordinary actions to address the risks to the economy and the banking and financial systems from the COVID-19 pandemic, two regional Federal Reserve Bank Presidents made extensive trades in individual stocks and real estate investment trusts."

Eviction law filing

Criminal eviction law initial filing.

FBI 2015 interview 9-11 09132021

Update regarding associated analysis pursuant to his pending US Citizenship application and statements regarding the circumstances of his contact with persons who provided logistic support to 9/11 Hijackers NAWAF ALAROVI and KHALID AL-WIDHAR.

Hutchinson Meet the Press 9-12-2021

Governor Asa Hutchinson, on Meet the Press: "We're all together in trying to get an increased level of vaccination out in the population. The problem is that I'm trying to overcome resistance. But the president's actions in a mandate hardens the resistance. And we talked about the fact that we've historically had vaccination requirements in schools. But those have always come at the state level, never at the national level. And so this is an unprecedented assumption of federal mandate authority that really disrupts and divides the country. It divides our partnership between the federal government and the states. And it increases the division in terms of vaccination when we should all be together trying to increase the vaccination uptake."

United Nations' report, 'Our Common Agenda'

The U.N. secretary-general writes, "We are at an inflection point in history. In our biggest shared test since the Second World War, humanity faces a stark and urgent choice: a breakdown or a breakthrough. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is upending our world, threatening our health, destroying economies and livelihoods and deepening poverty and inequalities. Conflicts continue to rage and worsen. The disastrous effects of a changing climate – famine, floods, fires and extreme heat – threaten our very existence."

Queen Elizabeth's statement on 9/11/2021

Britain's royal family issues a statement on Twitter and Instagram on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II on the 20th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001.

Go Forward Pine Bluff Update 09122021

"The mission of Go Forward Pine Bluff is to increase the revenues of the city government, enabling it to provide the level of services expected by our citizens."

Go Forward Pine Bluff Ledger 09122021

5/8th Cent Sales Tax and Go Forward Financial Report for Pine Bluff

DOT Airline Ticket Refund Report 091121

Report to the White House Competition Council: U.S. Department of Transportation’s Investigatory, Enforcement and Other Activities Addressing Lack of Timely Airline Ticket Refunds Associated With the Covid–19 Pandemic

Pine Bluff High School Classes Canceled 09092021

In an open letter shared on Facebook, Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Barbara Warren announces that classes at Pine Bluff High School would be canceled Friday, Sept. 10, 2021, after a fight on campus resulted in a "lockdown scenario."

Yellen Letter on Debt Ceiling 09092021

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen writes to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other top lawmakers to urge them to address the U.S. debt limit.

Clyburn letter to Hutchinson on rental assistance 08062021

U.S. Rep. James Clyburn writes to Gov. Asa Hutchinson, "Arkansas’s distribution of federal rental assistance funds has been far too slow. By June 30, the Arkansas state rental relief program had only distributed $600,000 of the $173 million in federal funds the state has received."

January 6 Committee statement on McCarthy

Chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Vice Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) made the following statement regarding Minority Leader McCarthy’s false claim that the FBI and Senate committees have concluded that the former President had “no involvement” in the January 6th insurrection: “Minority Leader McCarthy has recently made statements regarding the January 6th investigation. He has suggested, based on an anonymous report, that the Department of Justice has concluded that Donald Trump did not cause, incite, or provoke the violence on January 6th. When this anonymous report was first published, the Select Committee queried the Executive Branch agencies and congressional committees involved in the investigation. We’ve received answers and briefings from the relevant entities, and it’s been made clear to us that reports of such a conclusion are baseless. We will continue to pursue all elements of this investigation in a nonpartisan and thorough manner. We also remind Minority Leader McCarthy of his statements following January 6th, including his statement from the House Floor on January 13th—which are inconsistent with his recent comments.”

Newcomb sues Little Rock, mayor, police chief 09042021

Attorney Robert Newcomb slapped the city of Little Rock, Mayor Frank Scott Jr. and City Manager Bruce Moore with a new lawsuit Friday, Sept. 3, 2021, in Pulaski County Circuit Court that asks the court to find the city in violation of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. Of Newcomb’s four plaintiffs, three are Little Rock police officers and one is an officer who was recently terminated.

Downtown Little Rock Partnership Form 990

The Downtown Little Rock Partnership's Form 990 for the 2019 tax year.

Supreme Court ruling on Texas abortion law

In the case of WHOLE WOMAN’S HEALTH ET AL. v. AUSTIN REEVE JACKSON, JUDGE, ET AL. ON APPLICATION FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF, regarding a 6-week limit on abortions in Texas, "The application for injunctive relief or, in the alternative, to vacate stays of the district court proceedings presented to JUSTICE ALITO and by him referred to the Court is denied."

GOP Leader McCarthy warning to tech firms

GOP House Leader Kevin McCarthy, on Aug. 31, 2021, tweeted, "If these companies comply with the Democrat order to turn over private information, they are in violation of federal law and subject to losing their ability to operate in the United States. If companies still choose to violate federal law, a Republican majority will not forget and will stand with Americans to hold them fully accountable under the law."

NHTSA Letter to Tesla requesting Autopilot data

To Eddie Gates, director of Field Quality for Tesla, Inc.: "This letter is to inform you that the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE21-020) to investigate crashes involving first responder scenes and vehicles manufactured by Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) that were operating in either Autopilot or Traffic Aware Cruise Control leading up to the incident, and to request certain information."

Lawsuit against Arkansas Children's Hospital

Lawsuit against Arkansas Children's Hospital

Darrell Hedden letter

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Arkansas Department of Health school cases report Aug. 30

Arkansas Department of Health school cases report Aug. 30

LR police chief's memo on officer investigation

According to a July 15 memo contained in court filings, Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey concurred with a recommendation to terminate Officer David Mattox for violations of unauthorized investigation and untruthfulness.

Memo from LRPD assistant chief to chief

Hayward Finks, Little Rock's assistant chief of police, writes a memo to Police Chief Keith Humphrey detailing a public affairs investigation.

Lyon College's King Apologizes For Remarks

Joseph King, then the president of Lyon College, apologizes for remarks made to the Chronicle of Higher Education for an article.

Wilson, Lyon College, King Fired As President

I’m writing to let you know that the Lyon College Board of Trustees has accepted President W. Joseph King’s resignation effective immediately. We are thankful for Dr. King’s service and guidance during his presidency.

2020 Wildlife Hunting Stamp Change

The Fish and Wildlife Service under the Trump administration explains its "permanent" rule change requiring all duck stamps to feature hunting imagery.

Supreme Court ruling on eviction moratorium

ALABAMA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, ET AL. v. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, ET AL. ON APPLICATION TO VACATE STAY

Letter on King to Lyon Board of Trustees

The mayor of Batesville and the county judge of Independence County write to encourage the Lyon College Board of Trustees to dismiss the college's president after remarks he made in an interview.

2021 Wildlife Hunting Stamp Change

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the Biden administration, proposes to undo a rule made just a year earlier under the Trump administration requiring all art for duck stamps to feature hunting imagery.

Little Rock sales tax increase allocation resolution

Little Rock Board of Directors sales tax increase allocation resolution.

Little Rock School District covid update 8-22-2021

For the 48 hour period beginning on 08/20/2021 at 3:00 PM and ending on 08/22/2021 at 3:00 PM the COVID POC team logged 23 individuals on quarantine and 5 positive cases as listed in this graphic.

Oklahoma Governor, AG Slam Mask District

In a press release dated Aug. 19, 2021, "Governor Kevin Stitt and Attorney General John O’Connor released the following statements after Hulbert Public Schools openly violated state law by mandating masks for all students and adults".

Little Rock State of the City invoices

Invoices from the City of Little Rock show the costs of the 2021 State of the City virtual broadcast.

Phi Delta Theta alums turned doctors urge vaccine

Alumni of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity who have become doctors write to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville chapter to encourage its current members to take the covid-19 vaccine.

Letter to Pelosi on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

Congressmen including Josh Gottheimer and Carolyn Bourdeaux write to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "Earlier this week, the Senate passed an historic bipartisan infrastructure package, with a supermajority of sixty-nine votes. President Biden swiftly applauded its passage, stating that he hopes Congress will send it to his desk as soon as possible. The House of Representatives should heed his call and immediately pass the legislation. We urge our House colleagues to follow the same path as the Senate: vote first on the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and then consider the budget resolution."

Pine Bluff School District Mask Mandate 2021-22

From Barbara J. Warren, Pine Bluff School District Superintendent: "As you may know, on July 29, 2021, the Governor of Arkansas declared a state of emergency due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. In an effort to protect our students and staff, we are implementing a mask mandate in our district, effective immediately. A mask or face covering must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times on district property and on busses, except for eating and drinking, by all students, staff, and visitors. Visitors will be welcome, however, should be prepared to adhere to procedures and protocols we have in place to include limiting the number of people in small enclosed offices and spaces, social distancing, and of course adhering to requirements to wear face coverings."

UA face mask resolution

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DHS rental assistance income limits

DHS rental assistance income limits.

Judge Fox order on mask-mandate ban

Judge Timothy Davis Fox writes, on the law banning schools and local governments from mandating masks, "Because there is no method by which the court can cure the unconstitutionality of Act 1002 of 2021 without substantially rewriting such legislative enactment, it is the obligation of the court to preliminarily declare that Act 1002 of 2021, in its entirety, is unconstitutional under both the separation of powers clause and the equal protection clause of the Arkansas Constitution. Pending further order of this court, or of a court of superintending jurisdiction, Act 1002 of 2021 is declared unconstitutional and its application, in any manner, is hereby preliminarily enjoined."

Little Rock August 2021 mask order

In an August 2021 order, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. requires face coverings to be worn in Little Rock facilities or in other public spaces under control of the City of Little Rock. Businesses are "exhorted" to require face coverings.

Lawsuit filed over conditions in Washington D.C. jail

Lawyers for Richard "Bigo" Barnett and others charged with various misdemeanor and felony offenses in connection with the protest at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 (referred to in the letter as “January Sixers”) call upon Amnesty International and the American Civil Liberties Union to investigate what they call the "D.C. Gitmo" conditions of the District of Columbia jail, alleging mistreatment and torture of pre-trial detainees.

Little Rock, Marion districts lawsuit on mask law

The Little Rock and Marion school districts have sued to halt the enforcement of Act 1002 of 2021, which "would prohibit LRSD from mandating the use of protective face masks even in classes such as chemistry, stagecraft, welding and shop, and in athletic activities such as football and baseball, and other fields of endeavor where face coverings and face shields have traditionally been required to protect students from physical injury."

Act 1002 of 2021

Act 1002 banning mask mandates.

House Bill 1065 of 2021

House Bill 1065 of 2021

Joint resolution from university faculty

Joint resolution from university faculty

Central Arkansas Water expansion proposal

Chelsea Boozer, Central Arkansas Water Government Affairs Manager, writes to the Pulaski County Quorum Court, "As you consider projects to be funded through the county’s allotment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, I would like to draw your attention to the West Pulaski Water Expansion Project."

Property tax proposal for library system

An ordinance to call a special election in the City of Little Rock, Arkansas, on November 9, 2021, for the purpose of submitting to the electors of the city the question of an increase of continuing the annual ad valorem property tax levied for the purpose of paying for the maintenance and operation of the city’s public libraries operated by the Central Arkansas Library System from the existing rate of three and three-tenths (3.30) mills to the new rate of three and eight-tenths (3.80) mills on the dollar of assessed valuation of taxable property in the city; prescribing other matters relating thereto; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes.

Ang superseding indictment

Ang superseding indictment

Summary of proposed LRSD lawsuit

Summary of proposed LRSD mask lawsuit

Draft of LRSD lawsuit on face masks

Draft of LRSD lawsuit on face masks

Lawsuit against Huntsville School District

Lawsuit against Huntsville School District

Attorney General opinion on Act 349 of 2021

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge writes to Secretary of State John Thurston, who had requested an opinion on Act 349 of 2021. She writes, "Because a literal interpretation would make the amended statute impossible to apply for school board candidates in the November 2, 2021, elections, a strong argument can be made in favor of the construction you posit. Absent legislative clarification, however, I cannot definitively state that a court would accept this argument."

Act 349 of 2021

An act to amend the candidate filing requirements for positions on school boards and local boards of community colleges; to amend the candidate filing period for school board positions; to amend the ballot fee for candidates for local boards of community colleges; and for other purposes. Subtitle: To amend the candidate filing requirements for positions on school boards and local boards of community colleges.

Democrats call to end mask mandate ban

In a letter to Arkansas Republican officials, Democrats from Pulaski County call for a special session to allow schools and local governments to mandate masks to prevent against the spread of the coronavirus: While we represent parts of Pulaski County, we accept our responsibility to act in the interest of our entire state. After all, we are state, not district, legislators. Please, accept this letter specifically on behalf of our constituents but also on behalf of the common good of all Arkansans. On July 27, 2021, Act 1002 will take effect. As you are aware, this act prohibits a state agency or entity; a political subdivision or the state; or state or local officials from mandating the use of face masks, face shields or other face coverings as a condition for entry, education or services. Not one of us voted for this legislation. In fact, it would be fair to say we vehemently opposed it, but we are clear it was passed following processes formulated and agreed to by both the House and the Senate. The problem we face now is Act 1002 was passed in what seems another epoch. Health-wise, that was certainly the case. Having followed medically informed protocols, there was reason to believe that when it came to COVID-19, our state was going in the right direction. There was reason to assume it was safe to return to a sense of normality, so we did so—even passing legislation surely informed by that optimism. As with most things in this pandemic, however, nothing is certain, and since the legislature recessed in April, circumstances in our state have altered dramatically.

Petition to reopen Disfarmer estate

Fred Stewart, a relative of the late photographer Mike Meyer Disfarmer, petitions to reopen Disfarmer's estate as the negatives of his photgraphs have become increasingly valuable.

Biden statement one year after John Lewis death

Days before he died one year ago today, Jill and I spoke with John Lewis for the last time. He was in those final days as he was throughout his remarkable life – at peace and full of dignity and grace. Instead of answering our concerns for him, he asked us to remain focused on the unfinished work – his life’s work – of healing and uniting this nation.

Little Rock recommendations for ARPA funds

Recommendations submitted by Little Rock city directors for how officials should use money from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

Emails from Marsha Scott to Cliff Gibson

An email from Marsha Scott offers talking points to Cliff Gibson on the search for a new dean for the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. The "WJC" referred to is former President Bill Clinton, or "William Jefferson Clinton."

Biden's remarks on DACA Dreamers ruling, 7-17-2021

In 2012, the Obama-Biden Administration created the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy, which has allowed hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to remain in the United States, to live, study, and work in our communities. Nine years later, Congress has not acted to provide a path to citizenship for Dreamers. Yesterday’s Federal court ruling is deeply disappointing.

Lindsey's letter to Bobbitt on Clinton dean search

Don, I have reviewed all of the applicants and, based on their cover letters and professional experience, don't believe any of them have the background, vision or understanding of the Clinton-school and its role in the U of A system, to take the Clinton School to the next level or, more relevant, back to President Clinton's original vision. One of them might surprise me, but it would be a crapshoot. I am not sure the Clinton School could survive a bad choice.

Museum foundation objects to reopening Disfarmer's estate

Brief in support of the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts Foundation’s objection to Fred Stewart’s petition to reopen the estate of Mike Meyers, A/K/A Mike Meyer Disfarmer.

Ethics Letters to Adcock and Jackson

The Arkansas Ethics Commission's correspondence with at-large Little Rock City Director Joan Adcock as well as 2018 Board of Directors candidate Ronnie Jackson notifying each of them of the issuance of letters of caution related to campaign finance reporting.

Arkansas school transfer information

Information on how to transfer school districts from the Arkansas Department of Education.

Janet Yellen's remarks after G-20 summit, 7-11-2021

In prepared remarks, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said, among other things, that "Right now, the best way to fight this pandemic is more equitable vaccine distribution worldwide and more fiscal policy support where feasible. The United States, like other major economies, has made significant progress rolling out covid vaccines. But we know that the pandemic is far from under control in many parts of the world, especially in many low-income nations. And as long as the virus continues to spread, we’re all still at risk. To that end, the United States has pledged to share 580 million vaccine doses, and I’ve strongly urged my G-20 counterparts to step up their support."

Metroplan Resolution Endorses 30 Crossing

The Metroplan board of directors has provided a full-throated endorsement for the “full funding and completion” of the 30 Crossing project “without delay,” calling the nearly $1 billion project its “primary regional priority.”

LR ordinance for short-term financing 07052021

From Little Rock: An ordinance authorizing the issuance of a promissory note to provide short-term financing under Amendment no. 78 to the Arkansas Constitution for the acquisition, construction and installation of real property and tangible personal property; prescribing other matters pertaining thereto; declaring an emergency; and for other purposes.

University of Arkansas Joe Steinmetz release agreement

The University of Arkansas, Fayetteville's release agreement with Chancellor Joe Steinmetz, made public in July 2021, includes payments totaling $175,000 for one year.

Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee ruling

BRNOVICH, ATTORNEY GENERAL OF ARIZONA, ET AL. v. DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE ET AL. CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT No. 19–1257. Argued March 2, 2021—Decided July 1, 2021 Supreme Court justices write in their ruling that "Arizona law generally makes it very easy to vote. Voters may cast their ballots on election day in person at a traditional precinct or a “voting center” in their county of residence."

Documents to obtain Arkansas driver's license

Documents to obtain Arkansas driver's license

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott email correspondence

A Freedom of Information Act request for Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s correspondence in June 2021 produced 27 pages of emails.

Corrective action agreement for Elizabeth Mitchell Centers

A formal corrective action agreement between the Elizabeth Mitchell Centers and the Arkansas Department of Human Services has been signed by state officials and is dated May 5, 2021.

2021 Little Rock State of the City outline

A request for drafts or early versions of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s 2021 State of the City address resulted in an outline with fewer than three dozen words.

LR Network Security and Email Retention policy

A procedure guideline for the City of Little Rock establishes procedures to deal with cyber threats and handle email.

American Rescue Plan School Emergency Relief Fund

The American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (“ARP ESSER”) Fund, authorized under the American Rescue Plan (“ARP”) Act of 2021, provides nearly $122 billion to States to support the Nation’s schools in safely reopening and sustaining safe operations of schools while meeting the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students resulting from the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) pandemic. This plan details the money for Arkansas schools.

Tammy Downs chosen as court clerk

Tammy Downs is named court clerk for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas, replacing James W. McCormack.

Donald Bobbitt accepts Joe Steinmetz resignation as UA chancellor

Donald R. Bobbitt, president of the University of Arkansas System, accepts the resignation of Joe Steinmetz as chancellor of the system's Fayetteville campus in June 2021.

Joe Steinmetz resigns as UA chancellor

Joe Steinmetz, the chancellor of the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville submits his letter of resignation in June 2021.

Little Rock sales tax resolution 2021

A City of Little Rock resolution for a proposed 1-percentage-point increase in the city sales tax specifies how the revenue from that tax would be used. The measure is being promoted by Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

Act 1003 of 2021

Act 1003 of 2021: historical statues and monoments

Holmstrom email to Little Rock city manager

Gabe Holmstrom emails Bruce Moore asking for help with the parking deck at 6th and Scott in Little Rock.

Covid-19 vaccine uptake among Arkansas college students

Covid-19 vaccine uptake among Arkansas college students. Totals include all students enrolled at an Arkansas college/university regardless if they are an out-of-state resident. A graph shows the cumulative proportion of Arkansas college students with at least one dose and who have completed the series of a COVID-19 vaccine by week.

Higher Ed, Health Department Data Sharing Agreement

An effort to track the covid-19 vaccination rate of Arkansas college students is underway as of June 2021. A statewide focus on college student vaccination rates appears far from the norm, at least compared to border states. But public health experts said such data could play an important role on campuses in a state like Arkansas with a law that aims to prohibit covid-19 vaccine mandates.

Forecast of General Revenue for fiscal year 2022

Forecast of General Revenue for fiscal year 2022

UA System tuition, fees for 2021-22 school year

Tuition and fees for the University of Arkansas System, as approved May 27, 2021.

Chancellor Steinmetz's recommendation on Fulbright, Brough

University of Arkansas Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz writes to UA System President Bobbitt with his recommendations on the three suggestions from a campus committee: Move the J. William Fulbright statue, rename the Fulbright College for Arts and Sciences, and rename the Brough Commons dining hall.

20210521 Pope County Casino Order

Gulfside Casino Partnership vs. Arkansas Racing Commission and Cherokee Nation Businesses LLC

Memo recommending firing of Monty Frazier

Michael Hill, in a memo to Steve Frisbee, assistant chief engineer - operations at the Arkansas Department of Transportation, recommends in a May 17, 2021, memo that Monty Frazier be fired after missing a crack in the Hernando de Soto bridge over the Mississippi River along Interstate 40.

Cotton's Ivory Tower Tax Act of 2021

A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply a 1 percent excise tax on large endowments of certain private colleges and universities, to require that such institutions distribute at least 5 percent of large endowments in each taxable year, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Ivory Tower Tax Act of 2021’’

Hutchinson pandemic unemployment letter

Hutchinson pandemic unemployment letter

Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook 2021

Unemployment Insurance Information Handbook 2021

Quick Guide to Arkansas Unemployment Insurance

Quick Guide to Arkansas Unemployment Insurance

Phillips Little Rock tax increase

Antwan Phillips, Little Rock city director, announces in May 2021 that he will vote in favor of Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s proposed 1-percentage-point increase in the city sales tax.

Motion to Intervene Regarding Court Access in Pope County casino case

On the 7th day of May, 2021 came on for consideration the Motion to Intervene Regarding Court Access of Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Inc. and Jeannie Roberts and from the pleadings filed herein, the court doth find and order as follows: l. The subject motion, misstates, apparently deliberately, both the operative facts as well as the relevant law. 2. Ms. Roberts was advised by court staff, at least several times over several days, that the issue of physical access for the general public was not a matter of physical access to the Sixth Division courtroom itself.

America the Beautiful Conservation 2021

National Climate Task Force's 2021 preliminary report on a 10-year, locally led United States conservation effort.

School districts declared unitary

Is it time? Yes. With the exception of some facilities issues, the Pulaski County Special School District has substantially complied in good faith with Plan 2000. Subject to the ongoing implementation of its 2018 master facilities plan as previously modified by the Court, the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District has also substantially complied in good faith with Plan 2000. It is therefore time for both Districts to continue their important and challenging work of educating all students without oversight from this Court, except as specified on facilities.

Biden Address Congress 20210428

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the text of President Joe Biden’s first address to a Joint Session of Congress on Wednesday, as provided by the White House. ……………. Madame Speaker. Madame Vice President. No president has ever said those words from this podium, and it’s about time. The First Lady. The Second Gentleman. Mr. Chief Justice. Members of the United States Congress and the Cabinet — and distinguished guests. My fellow Americans. While the setting tonight is familiar, this gathering is very different — a reminder of the extraordinary times we are in.

Biden Address GOP Response 20210428

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the text of U.S. Sen. Tim Scott’s, R-S.C, GOP response to President Joe Biden’s speech to a Joint Session of Congress Wednesday as provided by the office of the Senate minority leader: …………… Good evening. I’m Senator Tim Scott from the great state of South Carolina. We just heard President Biden’s first address to Congress. Our President seems like a good man. His speech was full of good words. But President Biden promised you a specific kind of leadership. He promised to unite a nation. To lower the temperature. To govern for all Americans, no matter how we voted. That was the pitch. You just heard it again. But our nation is starving for more than empty platitudes. We need policies and progress that bring us closer together. But three months in, the actions of the President and his party are pulling us further apart. I won’t waste your time tonight with finger-pointing or partisan bickering. You can get that on T.V. any time you want. I want to have an honest conversation. About common sense and common ground. About this feeling that our nation is sliding off its shared foundation, and how we move forward together.

State-funded school building projects for 2021-23.

Arkansas' Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Commission approved $77 million of school construction projects for 2021-23 on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

Act 626 of 2021, the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act

The Arkansas law targeting transgender youth begins, "The General Assembly finds that: (1) Arkansas has a compelling government interest in protecting the health and safety of its citizens, especially vulnerable children; (2)(A) Only a small percentage of the American population experiences distress at identifying with their biological sex."

SB298 Letter

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House Bill 1949 2021

The Arkansas House version of the budget bill for fiscal 2022.

Senate Bill 702 2021

The Arkansas Senate version of the budget bill for fiscal 2022.

O'Brien transcript

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NLR Superintendent's 100-days report, April 2021

The purpose of this April 2021 presentation is to inform members of the North Little Rock Board of Education, parents, employees, and community stakeholders on the 100 day transition plan summary report of the new superintendent’s entry into the North Little Rock School District (NLRSD).

University of Arkansas-Fayetteville responses on Fulbright, Brough

University of Arkansas-Fayetteville responses on renaming J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, removing Fulbright statue, and renaming Brough Commons Dining Hall.

Georgia voting law 2021

To comprehensively revise elections and voting; to amend Chapter 2 of Title 21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elections and primaries generally, so as to revise a definition; to provide for the establishment of a voter intimidation and illegal election activities hotline; to limit the ability of the State Election Board and the Secretary of State to enter into certain consent agreements, settlements, and consent orders; to provide that the Secretary of State shall be a nonvoting ex officio member of the State Election Board; and more

Report on teacher shortages, solutions

A Walton Family Foundation-commissioned report addresses teacher shortages and solutions.

Additional federal funds for 39 school districts

Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education FY 2020-21 Supplemental ESSER II Allocations

Fall 2021 resolution

Fall 2021 resolution

Murray Hydroelectric ordinance

Ordinance 21-20 waiving formal bidding requirements for insurance for the Murray Hydroelectric Plant for March 2021.

Arkansas Phase 1-B vaccine categories

Phase 1B (1-B) of Arkansas' coronavirus vaccinations includes people 65 years of age and older; people with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Police Protection, Fire Protection, and Other First Responders; educators; food and agricultural workers; and more.

George Floyd Act 2021

117TH CONGRESS, 1ST SESSION H. R. 1280: To hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021’’.

2021 Stimulus Bill 2-22-2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (H.R. 1319), Section-by-Section (as of February 22, 2021); the proposed $1.9 trillion stimulus package proposed by President Joe Biden's administration.

Maumelle Ordinance No. 1022 as amended 2021

An ordinance of the City Council of the City of Maumelle, County of Pulaski, State of Arkansas, Ordinance No. 1022: Amending Chapter 10 of the Maumelle City Code to revise enforcement procedures, eliminate the categories of "potentially dangerous animal" and "hazardous animal," to change the current definition of "dangerous animal," to remove the ban on certain breeds of dogs, and for other purposes.

2020 income tax form for full-year resident

2020 income tax form for full-year resident

2020 income tax form for non resident

2020 income tax form for non resident

2020 income tax instructions

2020 income tax instructions.

2020 Arkansas Legislative Expenses

2020 Arkansas Legislative Expenses: Here’s how much each lawmaker in the 92nd General Assembly received from the state in per diem, mileage and expense reimbursements in 2020. Some in the list are no longer in the Legislature.

Biden Parkland 20210214

President Joe Biden's statement begins, "Three years ago today, a lone gunman took the lives of 14 students and three educators at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In seconds, the lives of dozens of families, and the life of an American community, were changed forever."

Biden faith based

President Joe Biden is signing an executive order reestablishing the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, which the White House says will promote partnerships with religious and secular organizations to better serve people in need.

ADH County Vaccine Doses

The Arkansas Department of Health's the updated county-level report on vaccines for covid-19 as of February 5, 2021.

Schoen to Raskin 2021

A February 4, 2021, letter with the letterhead of lawyer David Schoen and sent to U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., lead manager for former President Donald Trump's impeachment. In the letter, Schoen and Bruce Castor Jr., Trump's attorneys, reject Raskin's request for Trump to provide testimony for his own impeachment, saying, "The use of our Constitution to bring a purported impeachment proceeding is much too serious to try to play these games."

Raskin to Trump 2021

Lead impeachment manager Jamie Raskin invites former President Donald Trump to provide testimony under oath for his impeachment trial in a letter dated February 4, 2021.

House trial brief

ADFA down payment assistance

ADFA down payment assistance program income levels.

Jegley letter to Little Rock Mayor Scott

Larry Jegley, 6th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, writes to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. about the remarks in the St. Charles Community Association Crime Watch update.

LR scooter ordinance 2021

From January 2021: An ordinance to permit dockless mobility technology within the City of Little Rock, Arkansas; to amend Little Rock, Ark., Rev. Code §§ 32-463; 32-494; 32-496 (1988); to permit the use of dockless mobility units on public streets in central business districts or other designated areas; to establish certain standards for the use of such technology; to establish a business license fee and franchise fee for use of the city right of-way; to declare an emergency; and for other purposes.

Little Rock 2021 contract with Chamber

A resolution to authorize the city manager to enter into a contract with the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce, in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000.00), to provide economic development consulting services; and for other purposes.

Conway Stager Capitol Flagpole Statement

Statement of facts against Peter Francis Stager of Conway after the Jan. 6, 2021, Washington riot in which he was suspected of using a flagpole to hit a Capitol Police officer.

Conway Stager Capitol Flagpole Complaint

Special Agent Jason Coe's signed criminal complaint against Peter Francis Stager of Conway after a flagpole was used to attack a Capitol Police officer

Transcript of President Trump's Jan. 6 speech

Washington Post transcript of speech by President Donald Trump on 1/6/2021

Pulaski County voter registration name change

Pulaski County voter registration name change

Articles of impeachment against President Trump

Text of the articles the House plans to introduce to impeach President Donald Trump.

2021 LR police contract

The statement of agreement between the Fraternal Order of Police and the City of Little Rock for the Police Department's contract.

Articles of impeachment against Trump

A single article of impeachment, for incitement of insurrection, has been drawn up against President Donald Trump.

Criminal complaint

BRCC 2020 Report

The Buffalo River Conservation Committee's 2020 annual report.

8th Circuit Court school choice ruling

Camden-Fairview School District, Hope School District No. 1A, Junction City School District, and Lafayette County School District (“the Districts”) sought modification of existing desegregation consent decrees to allow their exemption from Arkansas’s Public School Choice Act. Ark. Code. Ann. § 6–18–1906 (2017) in a case heard by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Law enforcement task force report

Law enforcement task force report

Real ID document list

Real ID document list

Law enforcement task force highlights

Law enforcement task force highlights

AWP_Update_2014

The Arkansas Water Plan Update 2014 Summary.

AWI Report Card 2020

The 2020 Report Card for the Mississippi River Watershed gave it a C-minus.

Little Rock zone definitions

Definitions of the zone classifications in Little Rock.

GAO CARES report

The United States Government Accountability Office issued a report to congressional committees in December 2020, "Lessons Learned from CARES Act Loan Program for Aviation and Other Eligible Businesses," referring to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed during the covid-19 pandemic.

Little Rock scooter ordinance

Scooter ordinance approved by directors but vetoed by Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

LRPD Humphrey Fulk texts

Text messages sent in March 2020 between Little Rock Police Chief Keith Humphrey and then-Assistant Chief Alice Fulk about the abilities of the Police Department’s patrol division captains.

Hutchinson response to physicians open letter

Gov. Asa Hutchinson responds Nov. 18, 2020, to an open letter from Arkansas physicians urging him to take additional steps to combat the coronavirus.

Fraternal Order of Police Letter to LR Mayor Scott

The Nov. 16, 2020, letter from Fraternal Order of Police President Ronnie Morgan to Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.

Physicians letter to Gov. Asa Hutchinson

In an open letter dated Nov. 15, 2020, physicians in Arkansas urged Gov. Asa Hutchinson to take increased measures to combat the coronavirus.

LR Mayor Frank Scott Jr. responds to impasse

Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s statement in response to the negotiating impasse with the Fraternal Order of Police, dated Nov. 18, 2020.

Audited financial statements

Audited financial statements

AHA Nov. 12 report

Arkansas Hospital Association report Nov. 12.

Marshall Police Chief Resigns

Marshall Mayor Kevin Elliott, in a letter dated Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, said Lang Holland "resigned as Police Chief for the City of Marshall effective immediately" after Elliott met with Holland to discuss social media posts Holland made on the social media app Parler. In one post, Holland wrote, in all capital letters, "Death to the Democrats." In another, Holland asked if several hundred people would go with him to Washington, D.C., "and fight our way into the Congress and arrest every Democrat who has participated in this coup?"

Arkansas Issue 3, November 2020

The 92nd General Assembly refers the following constitutional amendment to a vote of the people on November 3, 2020, and will appear on the ballot as Issue No. 3. This Amendment was proposed in the Regular 2019 Session by Representative D. Vaught and filed as HJR1008. Popular Name A Constitutional Amendment To Amend The Process For The Submission, Challenge, And Approval Of Proposed Initiated Acts, Constitutional Amendments, And Referenda Ballot Title An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to amend the process for the submission, challenge, and approval of proposed initiated acts, constitutional amendments, and referenda.

Arkansas Issue 1, November 2020

The 92nd General Assembly refers the following constitutional amendment to a vote of the people on November 3, 2020, and will appear on the ballot as Issue No. 1. This Amendment was proposed in the Regular 2019 Session by Representative J. Wardlaw and filed as HJR1018. Popular Name An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution Continuing a One-Half Percent (0.5%) Sales and Use Tax for State Highways and Bridges; County Roads, Bridges and Other Surface Transportation; and City Streets, Bridges, and Other Surface Transportation After the Retirement of the Bonds Authorized in Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 91 Ballot Title An Amendment to the Arkansas Constitution to continue a levy of a one-half percent sales and use tax for state highways and bridges; county roads, bridges, and other surface transportation; and city streets, bridges, and other surface transportation after the retirement of the bonds authorized in Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 91, as special revenue to be distributed under the Arkansas Highway Revenue Distribution Law.

Arkansas Issue 2, November 2020

The 92nd General Assembly refers the following constitutional amendment to a vote of the people on November 3, 2020, and will appear on the ballot as Issue No. 2. This Amendment was proposed in the Regular 2019 Session by Senator A. Clark and filed as SJR15. Popular Name A Constitutional Amendment to Amend the Term Limits Applicable to Members of the General Assembly, to be Known as the "Arkansas Term Limits Amendment" Ballot Title A Constitutional Amendment to be known as the "Arkansas Term Limits Amendment"; and amending the term limits applicable to members of the General Assembly.

Arkansas Department of Human Services covid agency contact list

Arkansas Department of Human Services 2020-2021 Emergency Solutions Grant Program COVID Agency Contact List by County

Bledsoe-Smith emails

Correspondence between now-former Arkansas Health Secretary Dr. Nate Smith and Arkansas Surgeon General Dr. Gregory Bledsoe

Little Rock School Board timeline and reconstitution of LRSD

Little Rock School Board timeline and reconstitution of LRSD

Final order of protection

Final order of protection

Order of protection affidavit

Order of protection affidavit

Little Rock School District response

Little Rock School District response

Little Rock Education Association press release

Little Rock Education Association press release

Little Rock School District staffing report

Little Rock School District staffing report

LRPD letter regarding Chief Keith Humphrey

Letter signed by officers from the Little Rock Police Department command staff regarding Chief Keith Humphrey

Rutherford retirement letter

University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service Dean Skip Rutherford's retirement letter

Grant agreement

Grant agreement the Arkansas Department of Education and the Arkansas Public School Resource Center

Charles Stark's Letter of Resignation

Charles Stark's Letter of Resignation

Trump Supreme Court List Cotton

President Donald Trump named U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., as one of 20 additions to his list of potential Supreme Court nominees on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020.

Little Rock Poll Memo

Little Rock Poll Memo

Little Rock Poll Presentation

Little Rock Poll Presentation

Motion in limine

Motion in limine

Motion for unitary status

Motion for unitary status

Brief of law in support of motion for unitary status

Brief of law in support of motion for unitary status

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville student survey responses

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville student survey responses

ASU opinion

Petition for Writ of Certiorari

Petition for Writ of Certiorari in murder case at Southern Arkansas University.

Order regarding publicity

Order regarding publicity in murder case at Southern Arkansas University

GOP Resolution 2020

For the Republican National Convention of 2020, the GOP opted not to have a traditional platform, but to instead follow a four-point resolution. Two of the points say there will not be a platform, and that anyone who tries to propose one will be voted out of order. The other two establish that the GOP supports President Donald Trump's "America-first" agenda, and that the party asks the media to report honestly on Republicans' support of Trump and his agenda.

LRSD Community Memo

Little Rock School District community memo

USPS Letter on Elections

A letter to Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston from the United States Postal Service explains that Arkansas law is incompatible with the times required for the Postal Service to deliver ballots in a timely fashion for the November 2020 general election.

ADH Healthy School Guide

ADH Healthy School Guide

Student Loan Payments

President Donald Trump on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, signed a memorandum on student loan payments.

Unemployment, Other Needs

President Donald Trump on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, signed a memorandum on extending aid on unemployment and so-called other needs assistance.

Payroll Tax Memorandum

President Donald Trump on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, signed a memorandum to defer payroll taxes.

Renters Executive Order

President Donald Trump on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, signed an executive order addressing rent and house payments.

TikTok Executive Order

Executive Order on Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok, August 6, 2020, from the White House

Department of Health directive for community and school-sponsored music

Department of Health directive for community and school-sponsored music

UAMS College of Public Health covid-19 forecasts, projections and impact assessments

UAMS College of Public Health covid-19 forecasts, projections and impact assessments

Settlement agreement on the removal of a Confederate statue from MacArthur Park

Settlement agreement on the removal of a Confederate statue from MacArthur Park

Pulaski County Special School District desegregation plan

The Pulaski County Special School District desegregation plan

Legislator votes on Northwest Council funding

Legislator votes on Northwest Council funding

PCSSD Ross plan

PCSSD Ross plan

Nursing home operator arrest warrant

Nursing home operator arrest warrant

UA survey responses

Survey responses from University of Arkansas, Fayetteville students about the pandemic

2020 Pope County casino application process

2020 Pope County casino application process

City of Little Rock request for qualifications

City of Little Rock request for qualifications

Executive order on masks

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson's executive order mandating the wearing of facial coverings in public.

UA Face Covering Resolution 2020-07-15

The University of Arkansas System trustees' resolution on face coverings.

Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation gift agreement

Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation gift agreement

Roger Stone Clemency Statement

Statement from the Press Secretary Regarding Executive Grant of Clemency for Roger Stone, Jr.

City of Little Rock's request for proposals

Little Rock has a request for proposals out for a vendor to provide "golf entertainment" on an 18-acre portion of War Memorial Park.

LR City Director Ken Richardson's proposal to halt evictions during covid-19 pandemic

LR City Director Ken Richardson's proposal to halt evictions during covid-19 pandemic

Proposed LR hate crime ordinance

A draft of a proposed hate-crime ordinance to be considered by the Little Rock Board of Directors, 2020.

Summary of process for LEAs to request waivers

Summary of process for LEAs to request waivers

Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s executive order requiring face coverings in public in Little Rock

Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s executive order requiring face coverings in public in Little Rock

Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District's plans for reopening schools in August

Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District's plans for reopening schools in August

Open letter to Little Rock School District parents

Open letter to Little Rock School District parents

Letter to Little Rock School District parents

This letter dated June 24, 2020, begins, "Little Rock School District is working hard this summer to meet the needs of your family, as we prepare to return to school with virtual and in-person options. Currently, our state government intends to resume school as normally as possible for the 2020-2021 school year."

Alternate care site evaluations 6-22-2020

Eight documents assess various facilities around Arkansas for their viability as alternate care, or alternative care sites -- places that can be used in the event of a worst-case scenario involving the coronavirus.

Arkansas Racing Commission casino license scores

Arkansas Racing Commission casino license scores

Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s executive order banning the use of neck restraints by Little Rock officers

Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s executive order banning the use of neck restraints by Little Rock officers

Lawsuit filed against Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC

Lawsuit filed against Youth Opportunity Investments, LLC

Bret Bielema lawsuit v. Razorback Foundation

Bret Bielema lawsuit v. Razorback Foundation

Southern Arkansas University’s request for covid-19 funds

Southern Arkansas University’s request for covid-19 funds

Bret Bielema lawsuit civil cover sheet

Bret Bielema lawsuit civil cover sheet

Arkansas Department of Education covid-19 waivers

Arkansas Department of Education covid-19 waivers

Little Rock Police Department's policy on body-worn cameras

Little Rock Police Department's policy on body-worn cameras

Bethel Heights Petition

Bethel Heights document certify the petition for voters to consider consolidation with Springdale.

30 Crossing project reevaluation report

30 Crossing project reevaluation report

President Trump 2020 Physical

A two-page document details the results of President Donald Trump's medical exam.

University of Arkansas’s guide to returning to campus

University of Arkansas’s guide to returning to campus

Gen. Michael Flynn transcripts

Documents declassified by John Ratcliffe, director of national intelligence, in late May 2020.

Henderson State University’s request for funding

Henderson State University’s request for funding

Little Rock School District Exit Plan

Level 5 Draft Exit Plan For Little Rock School District School District Pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-15-2917

Full guidelines for opening UA athletic venues

Full guidelines for opening UA athletic venues

Draft for NLR covid-19 small business fund

Draft for NLR covid-19 small business fund

Lawsuit against Garland County District Court

Lawsuit against Garland County District Court

Full CDC report on Greers Ferry Church

Full CDC report on Greers Ferry Church

FY 2019-20 CARES Act preliminary allocations

FY 2019-20 CARES Act preliminary allocations

Letter from FEMA

Letter from FEMA

Cease and desist order

Cease and desist order

Criminal complaint and affidavit

Criminal complaint and affidavit accusing a University of Arkansas professor of wire fraud

List of school construction projects approved for the coming fiscal year

List of school construction projects approved for the coming fiscal year

Keith McGee’s resume

Keith McGee’s resume

Keith McGee’s personnel action form

Keith McGee’s personnel action form

Interim superintendent contract

Interim superintendent contract

Board Resolution on Fall 2020

Board Resolution on Fall 2020

UALR Chancellor's retrenchment proposal

UALR Chancellor's retrenchment proposal

UALR academic college restructuring plan

UALR academic college restructuring plan

Introduction to reports submitted to the UA Board of Trustees

Introduction to reports submitted to the UA Board of Trustees

Economics Arkansas Stock Market Game 2020 spring winners

Economics Arkansas Stock Market Game 2020 spring winners

Economics Arkansas Stock Market Game 2019 fall winners

Economics Arkansas Stock Market Game 2019 fall winners

Letter to the Arkansas Racing Commission

Letter to the Arkansas Racing Commission

Hayward Finks, Duane Finks and Reginald Parks retaliation lawsuit

Hayward Finks, Duane Finks and Reginald Parks retaliation lawsuit

Alice Fulk and Cristina Plummer retaliation lawsuit

Alice Fulk and Cristina Plummer retaliation lawsuit

UA resolution accepting employee choice on remote employment

Resolution Accepting Employee Choice on Remote Employment

Arkansas Supreme Court dissent

Arkansas Supreme Court dissent

Arkansas Supreme Court order

Arkansas Supreme Court order

UALR Exec Committee Timeline Request

The Executive Committee of the UA Little Rock Faculty Senate asks that the current Academic Planning Retrenchment timeline be extended for one year.

Scott Jennings email

This statement from Scott Jennings, principal of North Little Rock High School, was copied from the original email and then forwarded to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette under a Freedom of Information Act request.

Arguments from attorney representing Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District

Arguments from attorney representing Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District

Arguments from attorneys representing Pulaski County Special School District

Arguments from attorneys representing Pulaski County Special School District

Email correspondence from the Arkansas Department of Health

Email correspondence from the Arkansas Department of Health

LISA Academy’s amendment request

LISA Academy’s amendment request

Governor Hutchinson State of the State Address

Governor Hutchinson State of the State Address

LISA Academy’s amendment request

LISA Academy proposes amending its charter with the state so it can open a charter school in Rogers.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s executive order banning caravans in the city amid coronavirus pandemic

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr.'s executive order banning caravans in the city amid coronavirus pandemic

Report to Congress on film-forming foam

An October 2017 report from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics includes three Arkansas sites.

Bulletin from the Arkansas Insurance Department

Bulletin from the Arkansas Insurance Department

Procedures for managing a positive covid-19 case

Procedures for managing a positive covid-19 case: Notification of possible exposure

ASU protocol

Protocol for campus residents who are recommended for covid-19 testing

ATU plan of action

Plan of action for reported case on-campus

Motion in support

Motion in support

Elections lawsuit

Elections lawsuit

Motion of temporary restraining order

Motion of temporary restraining order

Arkansas Tech University Housing Contract

Arkansas Tech University's on-campus housing contract for students during the 2019-20 academic year.

LRSD closure letter

Little Rock School District letter on school closures

Letter to LRSD community

Letter to LRSD community

EO 20-03

Ordinance on regional districts

An ordinance voted on by the Little Rock Board of Directors on Tuesday puts the question repurposing the city board's at-large directors to voters in November.

Ordinance on city manager and city attorney

An ordinance voted on by the Little Rock Board of Directors on Tuesday gives the mayor additional authority in hiring, firing and reviewing the city manager and city attorney.

Benton County ordinance

Benton County ordinance

Scott County Ordinance

Scott County Ordinance

Benton County submitted resolution

Benton County submitted resolution

independence County resolution

Independence County resolution

Letter from Youth Opportunity Investments to the Department of Human Services

Letter from Youth Opportunity Investments to the Department of Human Services

2nd set of FBI documents on Phantom Killer slayings

The FBI on Thursday published an extensive archive of documents from the investigation of Texarkana's infamous Phantom Killer murders of 1946. The second of two sets of documents.

1st set of FBI documents on Phantom Killer slayings

Texarkana Phantom Moonlight Murders Part 01 of 02.

Letter from Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center

Letter from Southwest Arkansas Counseling and Mental Health Center, dated Jan. 10, 2020.

Jan. 31, 2020 facilities report

Jan. 31, 2020 facilities report

DHS letter of concern

A letter of concern from the state Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services dated Jan. 15, 2020.

Letter from the Arkansas Hospital Association wrote to the state Department of Human Services

Letter from the Arkansas Hospital Association wrote to the state Department of Human Services.

Youth lockup firm lawsuits

A pair of lawsuits filed in Pulaski County and Jefferson County detail more abuse at the Lewisville Treatment Center.

Lawsuits name youth lockup firm

A pair of lawsuits filed in Pulaski County and Jefferson County detail more abuse at the Lewisville Treatment Center.

Arkansas Levee Task Force report

Arkansas Levee Task Force report

ADGS20200104E03_color.pdf

Page 3E from the Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

UALR strategic enrollment plan

UALR strategic enrollment plan

UALR budget building process

UALR budget building process

First round cuts for fiscal year 2020

First round cuts for fiscal year 2020

FISA order

FISA order in re. accuracy concerns regarding FBI matters submitted to the FISC

Letter to Pelosi

Letter to Pelosi

Report on academic achievement efforts in PCSSD

Report on academic achievement efforts in PCSSD

The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report

The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report

8th District Court of Appeals order

8th District Court of Appeals order

Consent order for Stephen Morley

Consent order for Stephen Morley

Motion to seal

Dam inspection report

A letter of concern from Little Rock Central High School faculty

A letter of concern from Little Rock Central High School faculty

A statement from Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key

A statement from Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key

Oct. 15 email from ASU Chancellor Kelly Damphousse

Oct. 15 email from ASU Chancellor Kelly Damphousse

Nov. 1 email from ASU Chancellor Kelly Damphousse

Nov. 1 email from ASU Chancellor Kelly Damphousse

Resolution to return administrative raises

Resolution to return administrative raises

Resolution to limit administrative compensation

Resolution to limit administrative compensation

Indictment on Tom and Bonteia Goss

Federal prosecutors in Springfield, Mo., have filed additional charges against two former executives of a mental health care nonprofit at the center of a bribery and public corruption investigation that has resulted so far in convictions of five former Arkansas legislators. At the center of the new charges against Tom and Bonteia Goss are actions that former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson allegedly took on behalf of Preferred Family Healthcare through legislation. Hutchinson pleaded guilty in June to accepting multiple bribes and tax fraud. Preferred Family was paid millions of dollars over several years in Medicaid and other state funds. This is a copy of the indictment, released Wednesday.

Little Rock Police Department Lethality Assessment

Little Rock Police Department's Lethality Assessment

Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District's brief

The Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District submitted arguments to the U.S. District Court, seeking unitary status in the Pulaski County school desegregation case.

Pulaski County Special School District's notice

The Pulaski County Special School District filed arguments with the U.S. District Court, seeking unitary status in a school desegregation case.

Hunter Biden's response to motion for DNA testing

The response by Hunter Biden to a motion for scientific (DNA) testing, filed Monday in Independence County.

Signing Statement on Resolution 4212

Signing Statement by Mayor Washington on Resolution 4212

Human trafficking complaint

Human trafficking lawsuit filed Friday in Pulaski County Circuit Court

Josh Mahony Senate financial disclosure form

Josh Mahony Senate financial disclosure form

Josh Mahony U.S. House financial disclosure form

Josh Mahony U.S. House financial disclosure form

Letter from Pulaski Prosecutor Larry Jegley

Letter from Pulaski Prosecutor Larry Jegley

Mahony for U.S. Senate FEC Form 3

Mahony for U.S. Senate FEC Form 3

Josh Mahony For Congress FEC Form 3

Josh Mahony For Congress FEC Form 3

Release agreement

Reversal opinion by the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

The opinion given by judges in the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals regarding a previous judge's decision to dismiss a case involving the shooting death of a 17-year-old boy by Benton police.

Joint brief

Addendum

Notice of change of plea hearing

A notice of a change of plea hearing filed Monday in a federal case involving former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson.

Notice deed filed in Washington County for SEFOR property

Notice deed filed in Washington County for SEFOR property

Blackshire Family Lawsuit

The family of Bradley Blackshire filed a lawsuit on June 6, 2019, alleging that the City of Little Rock and two police officers violated his Constitutional rights after an officer fatally shot him during a Feb. 22 traffic stop.

Gov. Hutchinson's letter to President Trump

A May 29, 2019 letter by Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson seeking emergency federal assistance following major flooding along the Arkansas River.

Angela Hibdon's story

Angela Hibdon was an inmate at the Sevier County jail. She was arrested for a drug-related crime and at the jail, joined the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program, which she refers to as RSAT in a letter detailing her addiction.

Dallas church affidavit for search

Dallas police warrant seeking search of church properties.

Officer Charles Starks investigative file

Criminal investigation file into Little Rock Officer Charles Starks, who fatally shot a 30-year-old driver during a Feb. 22 traffic stop.

Mueller report

Court Filing

Attorney general's letter to House and Senate Judiciary Committees

Attorney General William Barr's letter to Congress

Senate Bill 550

Charles Starks Discipline History

Disciplinary records for Little Rock police officer Charles Starks.

PASSE complaint

Read full opinion: Ban on excessive fines applies to states, U.S. Supreme Court rules

Supreme Court rules unanimously that the Constitution's ban on excessive fines applies to the states, an outcome that could help efforts to rein in police seizure of property from criminal suspects.

UA System president's letter on health plan

In a two-page letter, University of Arkansas System President Donald Bobbitt gave reasons why the employee health plan excludes treatments for gender dysphoria sought by transgender workers. The letter from Bobbitt to UA-Fayetteville student and worker Kacee Sparks was provided to the Democrat-Gazette by Sparks.

Pre-filed government reorganization bills

Bills pre-filed by Sen. Bart Hester and Rep. Andy Davis to form framework for accomplishing Gov. Asa Hutchinson's goal of reducing the number of agencies that report to him.

Sierra Club lawsuit

Maggio filing: Any order waiving attorney-client privilege should be limited in scope

A former judge in prison for bribery tells a federal court that any order waiving his attorney-client privilege should be limited in scope.

Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation gift agreement with University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

A $23.7 million gift to the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville supporting research and its commercialization will be paid out over five years.

30 Crossing lawsuit

Baker's court order

Arkansas Division of Youth Services review

Arkansas Division of Youth Services review

Bill Stovall resignation letter

Bill Stovall resignation letter

Judge's opinion in Henderson State case

Judge's opinion in Henderson State case

Mackrel and Smith affidavits

Affidavits for Robert Lee Smith III, 16, and Tacori D. Mackrel, 19,

1966 article written by Sen. John McCain's great grandfather

It's fitting that U.S. Sen. John McCain's funeral was held Saturday at the National Cathedral, an Episcopalian institution in Washington, D.C. The senator's great grandfather was an Episcopal minister in Fayetteville, serving his parish for more than a quarter century. He wrote this article for the August 1966 Flashback, which is the publication of the Washington County Historical Society.

Sample outline of best practices for Henderson State Board of Trustees

Sample outline of best practices for Henderson State Board of Trustees

Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson resignation letter

Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson resignation letter

Indictment of Sen. Jeremy Hutchison

Arkansas Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson has been indicted in a scheme to steal campaign contributions and use them for personal expenses, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas said Friday.

Top gifts to University of Arkansas, Fayetteville in fiscal 2018

Gift agreements and award letters between top donors and UA describe in details how gift funds should be spent by the university. In fiscal 2018, 13 gifts topped $500,000 or more, not including any gifts made in support of athletics.

Mike Lee's employee record

Employee record for Democratic candidate for attorney general Mike Lee

Application for Franklin County hog farm

Application to build a 10,374-capacity hog farm near the Arkansas River and Cedar Creek in Franklin County

Groups file lawsuit over Medicaid work requirements

Groups file lawsuit over Medicaid work requirements

Brewer's suit against DHS for AG records

Brewer's suit against DHS for AG records

Wendt Lawsuit

Court filing Wendt vs. Newman

ADEQ director's Statement of Financial Interest + proposed Exxon settlement

ADEQ director's Statement of Financial Interest + proposed Exxon settlement

NTSB preliminary report on duck boat

NTSB preliminary report on duck boat

Grant agreement to fund UA School of Art

Grant agreement to fund UA School of Art

Faulkner County response in sexual harassment suit

Faulkner County response in sexual harassment suit

On appeal, Little Rock TV station says free-speech rights violated in election ads case

In a court filing Monday, a Little Rock broadcaster claimed its free-speech rights were violated in May when a circuit judge barred it from airing ads harshly critical of Arkansas Supreme Court Justice Courtney Goodson.

Lawsuit in duck boat case

Lawsuit in duck boat case

Jerry Walsh plea agreement

The former executive director of South Arkansas Youth Services has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in connection with the public corruption investigation that has ensnared several former elected officials, according to court documents filed Thursday.

I-630 lawsuit

Five Little Rock residents went to federal court Wednesday in a bid to stop work on an $87.3 million project to widen a section of Interstate 630 until the environmental impact of the project is assessed.

Jerry Walsh case information

The former executive director of South Arkansas Youth Services has pleaded guilty to a federal conspiracy charge in connection with the public corruption investigation that has ensnared several former elected officials, according to court documents filed Thursday.

Griffen request to 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Wendell Griffen has asked the full 8th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals to take up his case related to his anti-death penalty demonstration last year.

Indictment of Russians in hacking of Democrats

Indictment of Russians in hacking of Democrats

July 10 tariffs list

July 10 tariffs list from U.S. trade representative

Henderson State University complaint, answer, order

Henderson State University complaint, answer, order

8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dismissing Arkansas judge's lawsuit

8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling dismissing Arkansas judge's lawsuit

Baker abortion pill ruling

U.S. District Judge Kristine Baker grants a preliminary injunction preventing Arkansas from enforcing the abortion-pill law.

Henderson State letters to vice presidents, their contracts

Henderson State letters to vice presidents, their contracts

Judge Wendell Griffen order in DHS case

As a punishment for its "willful defiance" of a court order, a judge on Monday ordered the Arkansas Department of Human Services to publish statistics on its website related to its failures in assessing needs of disabled Medicaid recipients.

Chad Morris Employment Agreement

Read the finalized contract for Arkansas football coach Chad Morris.

Budget blueprint from House Budget Committee

Budget blueprint from House Budget Committee

Temporary restraining order in medication abortion case

Temporary restraining order in medication abortion case

Lawsuit against Trump Foundation

Lawsuit against Trump Foundation

Washington County Judge Recusals

Court document requesting a special judge be assigned.

Tribune Motion to Dissolve

Tribune Broadcasting Fort Smith, LLC's emergency motion to dissolve temporary restraining order and incorporated brief.

Letters from Henderson State, Higher Learning Commission

Letters from Henderson State, Higher Learning Commission

Henderson State's fiscal 2018 budget update

Henderson State's fiscal 2018 budget update

2017 State of the Air report

Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality

Letter from Beau Wilcox to Luke Ferguson

Letter from Beau Wilcox to Luke Ferguson

Letter from Luke Ferguson to Agent Middleton

Letter from Luke Ferguson to Agent Middleton

Report on immigrants' economic effect on central Arkansas

Report on immigrants' economic effect on central Arkansas

Proposal to change general education at University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Faculty have worked on creating learning goals and learning outcomes for all undergraduates at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. The university’s faculty senate on Wednesday will consider the proposal.

Governor letter on ASU donation

Governor letter on ASU donation

Michelle Messer's personnel file

Michelle Messer's personnel file

UA proposed tenure policy

University of Arkansas proposed tenure policy

Ethics complaint against medical marijuana commissioner

Ethics complaint against medical marijuana commissioner

Faulkner County petition for judgment

Faulkner County petition for judgment in Andy Shock case

GOP FBI Memo

The Nunes memo.

Transcript of Glenn Simpson interview

California Sen. Dianne Feinstein, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, revealed the transcript from a private August interview with Glenn Simpson, a co-founder of the political opposition research firm Fusion GPS. The firm commissioned the dossier, which was initially paid for by a conservative website and then later by Democrats, including Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.

Missing Files Explained

Explanation letter to defendants in fraud case.

Donald Jones Documents

Court documents for United States of America versus Donald Andrew Jones.

Chad Morris offer letter

Chad Morris offer letter to be UA head football coach

Hunter Yurachek's offer letter

Hunter Yurachek's contract from UA to be athletic director

Neal Secret Recordings

U.S. Department of Justice memo about Micah Neal's secret recordings.

Response from U.S. Postal Service

In response to a letter from U.S. Rep French Hill, the U.S. Postal Service said its office in Little Rock's Heights neighborhood has extended its lease.

Report on Robinson/Mills sports complexes

Report on Robinson/Mills sports complexes in Pulaski County

Letter from U.S. Rep. French Hill to U.S. Postal Service

U.S. Rep. French Hill wrote to the U.S. Postal Service, urging it to reconsider closing a location in Little Rock.

Faulkner County employees lawsui

A federal lawsuit approved by the EEOC on behalf of four Faulkner County employees filed today in U.S. District Court against the county over alleged and undisciplined actions by its director of emergency management.

Ferguson's opinion on Damascus speed trap

Prosecuting attorney Luke Ferguson's opinion on Damascus speed trap

Maggio's petition to U.S. Supreme Court

Ex-Judge Michael Maggio's petition to U.S. Supreme Court

Arkansas Concealed Handgun Carry License Rules

Proposed guidance for officers handling Arkansas' conceal and carry law.

FOI memo to superintendents

FOI memo sent to superintendents in response to request for sex education information by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Map of Highway 10 preferred alternative

Department of Transportation's map of Highway 10 preferred alternative

Arkansas Legislative Audit of Department of Transportation sources, use of funds

Arkansas Legislative Audit of Department of Transportation sources, use of funds

Hamburg-PeaRidge Box Score

Hamburn against Pea Ridge football box score Monday, Aug. 28, 2017 at Estes Stadium in Conway.

2017 WashCo Fair Horse Show

General rules, awards and schedule for the 2017 Washington County Fair Horse Show.

Russia sanctions bill

Full text of bill

Little Rock Area Public Education Stakeholders Group report

Little Rock Area Public Education Stakeholders Group report

Cave Springs Audit

Financial and Compliance Report, December 31, 2016 and 2015 by the Arkansas Legislative Joint Auting Committee.

Voter rolls letter from Trump commission

Voter rolls letter from Trump commission

Damphousse offer letter from ASU

Damphousse offer letter from ASU

Final Accreditation Report Fiscal Year 2016-17

Final Accreditation Report Fiscal Year 2016-17: Summary of Accreditation for Arkansas Public Schools and School Districts

ORT Rapid Transit

Strategies for Ozark Regional Transit to develop light bus rapid transit.

Motion to Intervene

Motion to Intervene Duggar v City of Springdale

Josh Duggar Complaint

Court filing of Josh Duggar's complaint against the city of Springdale and others.

City of Springdale's response to Duggar lawsuit

City of Springdale's response to Duggar lawsuit

Affidavit in Arkansas rodent-bite case

Arrest affidavit for teens accused in rodent-bite case

Letter from EU ambassador to Hutchinson

Letter from EU ambassador to Hutchinson asking him to stop executions

House Resolution 1012

Resolution in the Arkansas House calling for the state to make Pacific Islander children living in state eligible for Medicaid

Jon Woods indictment

United States of America vs. Jonathan E. Woods, Oren Paris III, Randell G. Shelton Jr.

U.S. attorney letter in Maggio case

U.S. attorney letter in Maggio case

Damascus speed-trap findings

20th Judicial District Prosecutor Cody Hiland said in a ruling released Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, that the city of Damascus violated Arkansas' speed trap law.

Trump National Guard Draft Memo

Trump National Guard Draft Memo

Michael Flynn resignation letter

Michael Flynn resignation letter

Seth Stone affidavit

Seth Stone affidavit

Disability Rights Arkansas letter

Disability Rights Arkansas letter

Results of statewide survey for Good Roads Foundation

Results of statewide survey for Good Roads Foundation

Motion to produce records in Hunter Drexler case

Motion to produce records in Hunter Drexler case

Letter from DHHS Sec. Sylvia Burwell to Arkansas

Letter from DHHS Sec. Sylvia Burwell to Arkansasa uthorizing the extension of the waiver that makes the private option, and Gov. Hutchinson's Arkansas Works, possible

Letter from acting administator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to Arkansas

Letter from acting administator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to Arkansas to Arkansasa uthorizing the extension of the waiver that makes the private option, and Gov. Hutchinson's Arkansas Works, possible

Nov. 22 Rhonda Wood filings

Motion to expedite + 2 additional filings.

Draft of the Bar Association's proposed constitutional amendment

Draft of the Bar Association's proposed constitutional amendment that would create a system for appointing state Supreme Court justices instead of electing them

Motion for mental evaluation in Anastasia Roberts' case

Motion for mental evaluation in Anastasia Roberts' case

Judge's order in Margaret Darter case

Judge's order in Margaret Darter case

ASU audit of ex-chancellor's travel reimbursement

ASU audit of ex-chancellor's travel reimbursement

Houston Davis' UCA contract

Houston Davis' UCA contract

Refugees letter from Arkansas congressmen

Three members of the Arkansas congressional delegation sent a letter Monday, Oct. 24, 2016, to Secretary of State John Kerry objecting to a Northwest Arkansas group being designated as an organization that could help Syrian refugees.

Anastasia Roberts' letter

Anastasia Roberts' letter

Former Cross County District Court Judge Joseph Boeckmann indictment

Former Cross County District Court Judge Joseph Boeckmann indictment

Plaintiffs' motion in LRSD desegregation case

Plaintiffs' motion in LRSD desegregation case

Plaintiffs' supporting document in LRSD desegregation case

Plaintiffs' supporting document in LRSD desegregation case

Michael Morton response to plaintiffs' motion

Michael Morton response to plaintiffs' motion to exclude James Moody's testimony

Morton's response to plaintiffs' motion to take judicial notice

Morton's response to plaintiffs' motion to take judicial notice

Morton's response to plaintiffs' sur-response

Morton's response to plaintiffs' sur-response

Exxon Mobil response in Mayflower case

Exxon Mobil response in Mayflower case

Preliminary injunction order in Planned Parenthood case

Preliminary injunction order in Planned Parenthood case

Gilbert Baker's toxicology report

Former state Sen. Gilbert Baker's toxicology report

Judge's order in Little Rock School District state takeover case

Judge's order in Little Rock School District state takeover case

Rep. Walker responds to LRPD apology

Arkansas Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, sent a response letter Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2016 regarding an apology from the Little Rock Police Department regarding his arrest after filming a traffic stop Monday in Little Rock.

LRPD apology letter to state Rep. Walker

In an apology letter Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, the Little Rock Police Department apologized for the arrest of state Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, after he filmed a traffic stop earlier in the week.

U.S. brief in Exxon Mobil case

U.S. brief in Exxon Mobil case filed with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Judge's order in Randy Staton case

Judge's order in Randy Staton case

Dr. Rook affidavit/warrant

Dr. Robert Rook affidavit/warrant

Arkansas QBs

Arkansas' last four QBs in their first three starts.

Lease agreement, memorandum for UALR, eSTEM

Lease agreement, memorandum for UALR, eSTEM

License agreement and amendment for UALR, eSTEM

License agreement and amendment for UALR, eSTEM

Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Dec. 11 letter

Arkansas Health Insurance Marketplace Dec. 11 letter

Motion to dismiss Justice Rhonda Wood

Motion to dismiss Justice Rhonda Wood in Michael Morton case

Record excerpts of Exxon in Mayflower case

Record excerpts of Exxon in Mayflower case

Exxon's brief in Mayflower case

ExxonMobil explains why it shouldn't have to follow a regulatory agency's orders in light of an oil spill in Mayflower.

Michael Maggio's reply brief

Michael Maggio's reply brief

Lawsuit against Sherwood in hot-check cases

Lawsuit against Sherwood, Pulaski County in hot-check cases

Draft document of agreement between UA, Fayetteville

Draft document of agreement between UA, Fayetteville

Court denies Exxon's request in Mayflower case

Court denies Exxon's request to stay several safety directives in Mayflower case

U.S. attorney brief in Maggio case

U.S. attorney office's brief in Michael Maggio case

Federal judge's order reprimanding class-action lawyers

In his order, Chief U.S. District Judge P.K. Holmes of Fort Smith cited plaintiffs' attorney John Goodson of Texarkana, husband of Arkansas State Supreme Court Justice Courtney Goodson; his law partner Matt Keil; Jason Roselius, with the Oklahoma City firm of Mattingly &amp; Roselius; and R. Martin Weber Jr. and Richard E. Norman, a partner of Crowley Norman LLP of Houston.

U.S. opposition to Exxon request

U.S. opposition to Exxon request

Michael Morton's reply brief

Michael Morton's reply brief in support for motion of summary judgment

Exxon's appeal in Mayflower case

Exxon's appeal in Mayflower case

Donald Corbin affidavit

Donald Corbin affidavit in Maggio case

Jim Moody deposition

Jim Moody deposition in Maggio case

Maggio appeal to U.S. Court of Appeals

Former Circuit Judge Michael Maggio has appealed his federal bribery conviction to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Cantrell Road closure

Cantrell Road closure

Southeast White County Water Association audited financial statements

Southeast White County Water Association audited financial statements

Summary appraisal report of Cummings farm

Summary appraisal report of Cummings farm

IRS990 Razorback Foundation form

IRS990 Razorback Foundation form

Naramore's attorneys respond to motion for continuance

In a Garland County Circuit Court filing Tuesday, May, 31, 2016, attorneys for suspended Judge Wade Naramore said the state's motion to delay his negligent-homicide trial "provides no reasonable excuse to justify a continuance."

ASU proposed tuition increase

This agenda for Wednesday's meeting of the Arkansas State University System board of trustees details proposed tuition increases at the system's campuses.

Prosecutors file motion for continuance in Wade Naramore case

The prosecution on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, filled a motion for continuance in the trial of suspended Garland County Circuit Judge Wade Naramore, who is charged with negligent homicide in the hot-car death of his toddler son.

Academic Facilities Partnership Program approved projects

Academic Facilities Partnership Program approved projects for 2016-2017 year

Little Rock Civic Advisory Committee final report

Little Rock Civic Advisory Committee final report

Proposed highway-funding bill

Proposed highway-funding bill for special session.

Justin Staton sentencing order

Sentencing order, prosecutor's report, plea deal for Justin Staton in deaths of Conway couple.

Letter to UA on Title 9 complaints

Letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights to University of Arkansas about Title 9 complaints. The letter is requesting information from UA as part of a federal investigation into the university's handling of sexual violence complaints.

Letter from Chancellor Steinmetz to Sen. Pryor

Letter from Chancellor Steinmetz to Sen. Pryor along with answers to the 33 questions he asked previously concerning the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium expansion and renovation project.

Maggio motion for release

Ex judge Michael Maggio's motion for release pending appeal.

Opinion and order in Nucor Steel case

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas dismissed Nucor Steel’s suit aimed at derailing a pending “regional haze plan” for Arkansas.

State's response to Hunter Drexler's motion

State's response to Hunter Drexler's motion for emergency hearing

Cradduck resignation letter

A letter from Benton County Sheriff Kelley Cradduck's attorney offering Cradduck's resignation contingent on the county meeting some conditions.

Hunter Drexler's motion for bond

Hunter Drexler's motion for bond, immediate hearing

State's response to Hunter Drexler's request for bond

State's response to Hunter Drexler's request for bond

Letter from Sen. Dismang to Gov. Hutchinson

Letter from Sen. Dismang to Gov. Hutchinson requesting that he not include managed care in the call for the special session until the legislature has reached a consensus.

Letter from Speaker Gillam to Gov. Hutchinson

Letter from Speaker Gillam to Gov. Hutchinson asking him to not include managed care on the call for the special session until a legislative consensus has been reached.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration decision

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration today announced it has completed its review of ExxonMobil’s Petition for Reconsideration of PHMSA’s Final Order issued on October 1, 2015. Today’s decision upholds the original findings included in the Final Order following its investigation into the Pegasus pipeline failure, including a civil penalty assessment of $2,630,000 for violating federal pipeline safety regulations for integrity management and operations and maintenance procedures.

Motion to delay Hunter Drexler trial

Motion to delay Hunter Drexler trial

U.S. motion on Maggio sentencing

U.S. motion on Maggio sentencing

Maggio motion requesting sentencing leniency

Ex-Judge Michael Maggio's motion requesting sentencing leniency in bribery case.

Little Rock's State of the City 2016 address

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola's prepared remarks for his State of the City address Thursday, March 17, 2016.

Brad Bartelt change of venue motion

Brad Bartelt's motion requesting change of venue

Order denying Maggio's motion

Judge denies former Judge Michael Maggio's motion to withdraw guilty plea in bribery case.

Michelle Staton's Plea Statement's Plea Statement

Michelle Staton pleads guilty to hindering apprehension or prosecution and four drug charges.

U.S. response to Maggio's post-hearing brief

Former Judge Michael Maggio has done "about-face" in an argument supporting his efforts to withdraw his guilty plea to federal bribery and is clearly trying to "delay the inevitable," the U.S. attorney's office said in a document filed in court Thursday.

Landowners' response to Exxon decision

Plaintiffs' response to judge's decision in Exxon decision

Committee on the Judiciary letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Committee on the Judiciary letter to Majority Leader Mitch McConnell

Plea agreement addendum in Maggio case

Plea agreement addendum in Michael Maggio case

U.S. response to Maggio request

U.S. response to Michael Maggio's request to withdraw guilty plea

Sylvia Hutchinson letter to Gov. Hutchinson

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell sent Gov. Asa Hutchinson a letter Tuesday describing her mixed response to the state's plan to reform its Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act.

LRSD answer to lawsuit challenging state takeover

Little Rock School District response to lawsuit challenging takeover of state's largest district.

State response to lawsuit challenging takeover of LRSD

Motion to dismiss filed Feb. 10, 2016.

Attorney general brief in support of motion to dismiss

Attorney general brief in support of motion to dismiss lawsuit challenging LRSD takeover. Filed Feb. 10, 2016.

Central Arkansas Water letter to PHMSA

Central Arkansas Water letter to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Judge order approving Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District

U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr., has approved the Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District school building improvement plan with the condition that it be supplemented by the end of the year with improvement plans for replacing four elementary schools so that all of the new district's elementary schools are equal.

AG's suit against Arkansas Funeral Care

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a consumer-protection lawsuit against Jacksonville-based Arkansas Funeral Care.

Conway's notice of appeal

The city of Conway is appealing a circuit judge's decision to grant class-action status to a lawsuit accusing the city of breaching its salary contract with police officers and firefighters.

Judge Boeckmann's response to allegations

Cross County Judge Joseph Boeckmann issued a denial of allegations ranging from sexual misconduct to improper payments.

Jack Gillean's order from judge

Judge orders Jack Gillean to start sentence.

UCA President Tom Courtway's letter to campus community

Courtway announced in a letter that he will step down as the institution's leader and transition into an instructor role.

Lesley Marcotte affidavit

Lesley Marcotte affidavit in Malik Drummond case

Jeffery Clifton affidavit

Jeffery Clifton affidavit in Malik Drummond case

Letter of intent on paper mill

Letter of Intent on Investment Cooperation between AEDC and Shandong Sun Paper Industry Joint Stock Co., Ltd., on studying feasibility of a $1.3 billion paper mill in Arkansas.

Statement of allegations against Boeckmann

Statement of allegations against Cross County District Judge Joseph Boeckmann released by Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission.

Stay of compliance letter in oil-spill case

Stay of compliance letter in oil-spill case

Benton County Sheriff's Office search warrant

An Arkansas State Police search warrant for a search of the Benton County Sheriff's Office.

Best of the Best 2015

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Best of the Best 2015

State Supreme Court ruling on LRSD takeover lawsuit

State Supreme Court ruling dismissing Little Rock School District takeover lawsuit.

Complaint requesting 911 calls

Complaint filed requesting 911 calls in hot-car death of judge's son.

Exxon's petition to reconsider order

Exxon petition to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to reconsider order.

Proposed 2015-16 contract for LRSD employees

The proposed 2015-16 contract agreement negotiated by representatives of the Little Rock School District and the LIttle Rock Education Association employees' union for teachers and all other non-administrative employees. The association membership and Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key, who serves as the school board for the state-controlled Little Rock district, must ratify the agreement to make it final.

Healthy Active Arkansas plan

10-year plan for Healthy Active Arkansas initiative

Jacksonville district desegregation ruling

Court approves desegregation aspects of Jacksonville school district detachment plan.

Johnny Key's letter on PARCC scores

Statement and Letter to Parents from Commissioner Johnny Key on PARCC scores.

Notice to appeal execution ruling

Arkansas filed a notice to appeal to the state Supreme Court a judge's temporary restraining order on executions.

UA System Board's Rome itinerary

University of Arkansas System Board of Trustees schedule for October 2015 trip to Rome.

Temporary order halting executions

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Wendell Griffen's temporary restraining order halting executions in Arkansas.

Order denying state's request to dismiss execution lawsuit

Pulaski County Circuit Court Judge Wendell Griffen's order denying the state's request to dismiss a lawsuit filed by death row inmates.

The Stephen Group executive summary

The Stephen Group executive summary on Arkansas Medicaid

The Stephen Group recommendations

The Stephen Group recommendations on Arkansas Medicaid

The Stephen Group findings

The Stephen Group findings, appendices on Arkansas Medicaid

Leslie Rutledge certiorari petition

Writ of certiorari petition by Attorney General Leslie Rutledge regarding abortion law to U.S. Supreme Court

Arkansas Faith & Freedom Coalition 2014 Tax Report

Arkansas Faith & Freedom Coalition 2014 Tax Report

Arkansas Faith & Freedom Coalition 2013 Tax Report

Arkansas Faith & Freedom Coalition 2013 Tax Report

Arkansas Faith & Freedom Coalition 2012 Tax Report

Arkansas Faith & Freedom Coalition 2012 Tax Report

2015 Main Street Food Truck Festival map

More than 45 food trucks, as well as craft vendors and street performers, will span five blocks of Main Street from Third to Eighth streets in downtown Little Rock from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015, for the Main Street Food Truck Festival.

Final order in Mayflower spill

Final order by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration into 2013 Mayflower spill, addressed to ExxonMobil

Baker Kurrus letter

Little Rock Superintendent Baker Kurrus letter to the community.

Pope Francis' speech to Congress

Text of Pope Francis' address to Congress on Sept. 24, 2015.

Randal Staton affidavit in Conway slayings case

Felony information and affidavit for Randal Staton in Conway couple's slaying case

Atchley affidavit in Conway slayings case

Felony information and affidavit for Atchley in Conway couple's slaying case

Michelle Staton affidavit in Conway slayings case

Felony information and affidavit for Michelle Staton in Conway couple's slaying case

Anastasia Roberts affidavit in Conway slayings case

Felony information and affidavit for Anastasia Roberts in Conway couple's slaying case

Letter to Justice Hart on gay marriage complaint inquiry

Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission letter to Supreme Court Justice Josephine Hart about review of complaint in gay marriage case. Letter also sent to Justices Goodson, Baker, Wynne.

Cotton prepared speech on Iran deal supporters

Sen. Tom Cotton's "prepared text" for speech on Senate floor on Iran deal supporters.

Response to Disability Rights letter

Response to Disability Rights Arkansas letter alleging excessive force

Disability Rights Arkansas letter

Disability Rights Arkansas letter to state Division of Youth Services about collarbone injury

AG opinion on anti-discrimination ordinances

Leslie Rutledge letter to state Rep. Bob Ballinger on Act 137, anti-discrimination ordinances

Priority schools: 2012-14

The Arkansas Department of Education has identified 46 Arkansas schools as "priority schools," meaning they were the lowest achieving 5 percent of schools in the state over a three-year period, 2012-14, on state Benchmark and End-of-Course math and literacy tests. To be removed from the list, the schools must meet annual achievement goals and graduation goals for two consecutive years on new exams that are replacing the discontinued state tests.

Focus schools: 2012-14

The Arkansas Department of Education has identified 105 Arkansas schools as "focus schools," which are the 10 percent of the state's public schools that have the largest achievement gaps between student groups on state Benchmark and End-of-Course exams over three years: 2012, 2013 and 2014. The gap that is measured is the one between the "Targeted Achievement Gap Group," or TAGG group, and the students who are not in that group, the non-TAGG students. The TAGG group is made up of students who are from low-income families, have disabilities or are learning English as a second language. To be removed from the list, schools must meet annual achievement and graduation goals for two consecutive years on new exams that are replacing the Benchmark and End of Course exams.

Fayetteville lawsuit

A lawsuit challenging the validity of a Fayetteville ordinance set for a Sept. 8 special election.

Arkansas 2015 ACT report

ACT profile report on Arkansas 2015 graduating class

Governor letter about Medicaid suspension

Hutchinson letter to General Assembly about ending suspension of Medicaid terminations.

Hutchinson letter on Common Core to state Board of Education

Hutchinson letter on Common Core to state Board of Education of Aug. 12, 2015.

Operation Blynd Justus indictment list

The 18-month-long operation, called Blynd Justus, coincided with the unsealing of 40 federal indictments charging 70 people -- mostly residents of Blytheville -- with crimes such as methamphetamine distribution, crack distribution and possession of a firearm by a felon. The indictments were handed up by a federal grand jury Aug. 5. This is the list of those indicted.

Department of Health letter

Arkansas Department of Health alerted about 500 in-home service employees that the program would end sometime in 2016 via a letter from department director Dr. Nathaniel Smith.

LRSD's proposed teacher contract

The Little Rock School District's proposed teacher contract for 2015-16

Department of Human Services letter

This is a sample of the letter the Arkansas Department of Human Services has been sending to Medicaid recipients and private option enrollees advising them they have 10 days to supply income information to the state to verify their eligibility for the government health insurance programs. On Tuesday, the governor announced a two-week moratorium on sending out the notices and on disqualifying recipients to allow Human Service Department workers time to plow through a backlog of pay stubs and other income records.

Arkansas general revenue report for July (FY 2016)

Arkansas general revenue report for July (FY 2016)

Proposed detachment agreement

The new 4,000 student Jacksonville School District, which has a state-appointed interim School Board, remains for the time being under the direction of the Pulaski County Special School District while officials plan the division of employees, assets and debts. The new 100-square-mile district will begin operating on its own July 1, 2016.

Tyson Foods third-quarter 2015 earnings

Tyson Foods third-quarter 2015 earnings

Exxon's response to Central Arkansas Water

Exxon responds to Central Arkansas Water's letter to the judge reviewing the proposed consent decree that would settle the joint state and federal lawsuit over the Pegasus pipeline spill in Mayflower.

Governor's Council on Common Core recommendations

The Governor's Council on Common Core released its findings and recommendations on Thursday, July 30, 2015.

Timothy Spears arrest affidavit

Former Danville Police officer Timothy Spears was charged with second-degree battery in a March 22, 2014 altercation at the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center.

Michael Spears arrest affidavit

Former Yell County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Spears was charged with second-degree battery in a March 22, 2014 altercation at the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center.

Russell Wood Statement on Timothy Spears

Russell Wood, attorney for Former Danville Police officer Timothy Spears, released this statement after Spears was charged with second-degree battery in connection with a March 22, 2014 altercation at a juvenile detention center.

Executive Order

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday issued a proclamation to close the state's nine storefront National Guard recruitment centers. The proclamation also moves Guard members from the centers to their nearest armory or wing as security improvements are in the works.

Central Arkansas Water letter to Judge Baker

Central Arkansas Water letter to U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker.

J.B. Hunt Transport 2nd-quarter 2015 earnings

J.B. Hunt Transport on Friday, July 17, 2015, announced second-quarter 2015 net earnings of $103.4 million.

Review of the Arkansas Division of Children and Family Services

Arkansas released Thursday, July 16, 2015, a report by the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group on the state Division of Children and Family Services.

Judicial retirement lawsuit

Union County Circuit Judge Michael Landers filed a lawsuit on Monday, July 6, 2015, in Pulaski County Circuit Court against the Arkansas Judicial Retirement System to challenge a provision of the law that forces judges to retire at age 70 or forfeit retirement benefits.

Yell County clerk statement

Yell County Clerk Sharon Barnett issued a statement Wednesday, July 1, 2015, that despite a previously stated "conscientious religious objection," she will now issue same-sex marriage licenses.

Michigan et al. v. Environmental Protection Agency et al.

The Supreme Court rules against federal regulators' attempt to limit power plant emissions of mercury and other hazardous air pollutants.

Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission et al.

The Supreme Court upholds Arizona congressional districts drawn by an independent commission and rejected a constitutional challenge.

Glossip v. Gross Supreme Court opinion

The Supreme Court upholds the use of the sedative midazolam in executions.

Kurrus' status report to the district's Civic Advisory Committee

Little Rock Superintendent Baker Kurrus' status report to the district's Civic Advisory Committee of June 15, 2015.

Obergefell et al. v. Hodges Supreme Court decision

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday, June 26, 2015, declared that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States.

King v. Burwell ruling

The Supreme Court on Thursday, June 25, 2015, upheld the nationwide tax subsidies under President Barack Obama's health-care overhaul, in a ruling that preserves health insurance for millions of Americans

Circuit Judge Morgan "Chip" Welch's ruling

Judge Morgan "Chip" Welch declared the Arkansas State Police policy on driver's license information to be violative of the state's Freedom of Information Act and enjoined it. However, Welch stayed the order for 60 days to allow for appeal, upon the request of the state attorney general's office.

Hardin order

A federal judge on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, denied Lu Hardin’s request to have his sentence terminated early.

PARCC letter to Education Commissioner

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Monday, June 22, 2015, sent a letter to Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key directing the Department of Education to withdraw the State of Arkansas from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers Consortium.

Faulkner County Circuit Court filing

The attorney for the family of nursing-home patient Martha Bull on Thursday filed notices saying he intends to take depositions from former state Sen. Gilbert Baker and Hal Hunnicutt.

Pulaski County sheriff's office report • June 15, 2015

A Pulaski County sheriff's office report dated June 15, 2015, says that deputies went to 4120 West Maddox Road in Jacksonville because the license plate on the vehicle Larry McElroy Jr. drove to the Little Rock Air Force Base returned to that address.

Pulaski County sheriff's office report • Jan. 22, 2015

A Pulaski County sheriff's office report dated January 22, 2015, says that deputies went to 4120 West Maddox Road in Jacksonville because Larry McElroy Jr. said he found three "spy devices" in his home from the Little Rock Air Force Base.

Pulaski County sheriff's office report • Jan. 25, 2014

This 2013 Pulaski County sheriff's office report shows that McElroy told officials that he was being held against his will by 25 people inside inside his home.

NAACP statement on Rachel Dolezal

NAACP statement on Rachel Dolezal of June 12, 2015.

Accreditation report

A draft of accredited schools for fiscal year 2014-2015.

Marriage-license lawsuit order

Judge Wendell Griffen on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, ordered Arkansas officials to recognize over 500 same-sex marriages performed in the state last year, a move that will allow the couples benefits such as filing taxes jointly.

Strategic plan for Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs

The strategic plan for the future of the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs was approved by the governor on Monday.

Sentencing Order

The judge's full sentencing order in the conviction of Rodney Forte, executive director of Little Rock's Metropolitan Housing Alliance, for failing to comply with the Freedom of Information Act.

Quapaw Chairman John Berrey letters

Letters from Quapaw Chairman John Berrey regarding the tribe's fee-to-trust application in the case of its 160-acre tract in Pulaski County.

Pulaski County Special School District staffing plan

Arkansas Education Commissioner Johnny Key approved the Pulaski County Special District's proposed plan for staffing its schools in anticipation of the detachment of the new Jacksonville/North Pulaski School District in July 2016 and the accompanying loss of more than 4,000 students.

Federal lawsuit in Bobby Moore shooting

Attorneys for the family of Bobby Moore III filed this lawsuit Monday more than two-and-a-half years after Moore was fatally shot by a Little Rock police officer.

Central Arkansas Water comments

Central Arkansas Water filed comments Thursday, May 28, 2015, asking the U.S. Justice Department to either withdraw or renegotiate a plan between Exxon Mobil and the agency, saying it does nothing to improve the long-term safety and integrity of the Pegasus pipeline.

Norsworthy corrective-action letter

David Norsworthy, a frequent business partner of nursing-home owner Michael Morton, received a corrective-action letter from the Arkansas Ethics Commission instructing him to file a statement of financial interest within 10 days since he is an appointee of a state commission.

Committee on Pulaski County School District Boundaries' draft report

Committee on Pulaski County School District Boundaries' draft report.

Little Rock School District honorees

Ninety-three Little Rock School District students, representing all five LRSD high schools were recognized at the 11th annual Academic Signing Day on Monday. Academic Signing Day mirrors athletic signing days, where top athletes sign letters of intent to compete at the collegiate level, Little Rock School District spokesman Pamela Smith said.

List of law licenses suspended

The Supreme Court signed off on a per curium on Thursday, May 7, 2015, that officially suspended the law licenses of 934 attorneys, most of whom are based in Arkansas for failing to keep up with new rules for attorney license fees established last year.

Springdale Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley retirement letter

Springdale Police Chief Kathy O'Kelley retirement letter

Opinion/concurrence on justices in gay-marriage case

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday ruled the justices currently serving should decide a pending gay-marriage case.

Washington County bridge investigation report

Washington County bridge investigation report released May 5, 2015.

Baker Kurrus resume

Baker Kurrus' resume.

Jamie Mitchell resume

Jamie Mitchell's resume

2015-2017 State Partnership Program Approved Projects

The Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Commission on Thursday approved $128 million school construction and system projects for the 2015-2016 school year.

State's arguments to Supreme Court

The state Department of Education has submitted its written arguments to the Arkansas Supreme Court in the state takeover of the Little Rock School District case.

Brad Bolding complaint

The attorney for former North Little Rock High School football coach Brad Bolding has filed a lawsuit against the North Little Rock School District to contest the firing of the coach earlier in the month. David Couch, who represents Bolding, filed the lawsuit on April 24 in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

Exxon Mobil consent decree

Two subsidiaries of Exxon Mobil have agreed to pay almost $5 million in government penalties and to take corrective and precautionary actions as a result of an oil spill in Mayflower in 2013, the Justice Department said. The penalties and other requirements are part of a proposed consent decree set to be filed in U.S. District Court in Little Rock on Wednesday, April 22.

Exxon Mobil complaint

Two subsidiaries of Exxon Mobil have agreed to pay almost $5 million in government penalties and to take corrective and precautionary actions as a result of an oil spill in Mayflower in 2013, the Justice Department said. The penalties and other requirements are part of a proposed consent decree set to be filed in U.S. District Court in Little Rock on Wednesday, April 22.

Suggs' settlement and severance agreement with LRSD

The agreement to end Dexter Suggs' employment as interim superintendent of the Little Rock School District on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.

Memo outlining Joe Foley's salary increase at UALR

UALR announced Monday a contract extension and raise for Foley. Foley's contract was extended one year to 2023-2024, and he'll get an immediate raise to $215,000.

Wagoner amended motion

Attorney Jack Wagoner filed a motion April 13, 2015, to amend a previous motion that withdrew a motion from plaintiffs' in a same-sex marriage case requesting a retired state Supreme Court justice and a special justice appointed to the state Supreme Court last year be allowed to decide whether gay marriage is legal in the state. The new motion withdraws the plaintiffs' position on which judges should hear the original case.

Maples motion to dismiss new case

Attorney Cheryl Maples filed a motion April 8, 2015, withdrawing a previous motion from plaintiffs' in a same-sex marriage case that requested a retired state Supreme Court justice and a special justice appointed to the state Supreme Court last year should be allowed to decide whether gay marriage is legal in the state. The new motion filed in April states that newly elected judges should be allowed to hear the case, making CV15-227, a separate case to decide which judges should hear the original case, moot.

Leslie Rutledge brief on behalf of state

Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a motion Monday that a retired state Supreme Court justice and a special justice appointed to the state Supreme Court last year should not decide whether gay marriage is legal in the state since those spots have now been filled with newly elected justices.

Plantiffs' motion for sanctions

A North Little Rock lawyer claims employees of the Fort Smith Police Department tried to hack into his computer by giving him a hard drive that “contained malicious software” meant to render his computer unsafe for use. In a motion for sanctions filed on Friday, Matthew Campbell also claims the police department deleted entire email accounts rather than turn documents over as ordered by a Sebastian County Circuit Court judge on May 9. The case was originally filed in 2013 under the “Arkansas Whistle-Blower Act.”

Justice Rhonda Wood recusal letter

On Thursday, April 2, 2015, Arkansas State Supreme Court Justice Rhonda Wood recused herself from CV-15-227, a separate case that will decide which justices hear arguments for the appeal of a ruling that the state ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Chief Justice Jim Hannah recusal letter

On Wednesday, April 8, 2015, Arkansas State Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hannah recused himself from CV-15-227, a separate case that will decide which justices hear arguments for the appeal of a ruling that the state ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

Justice Paul Danielson recusal

Arkansas Justice Paul Danielson on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, recused from a case related to the pending challenge to the state’s gay-marriage ban.

Chris Beard letter of appointment

New men's basketball coach Chris Beard takes over at UALR after posting a 47-15 record in two seasons at Angelo State.

LRSD employee contract changes and job cuts for 2015-16

The Little Rock School District sent notice to 60 administrators — a mix of certified and non-certified personnel — that their jobs are being eliminated effective with the 2015-16 school year.

Senate Bill 975

Senate Bill 975, the revised Religious Freedom Restoration Act, was passed by the Arkansas House of Representatives and signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday, April 2, 2015.

Pulaski County school desegregation lawsuit order

U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr., on Thursday awarded $785,355 in state-paid legal fees to Rep. John Walker, D-Little Rock, and his legal team for their work going back to 1993 in the long-running Pulaski County school desegregation lawsuit.

SB79 veto letter

Gov. Asa Hutchinson letter to Senate about veto of Senate Bill 79 on Tuesday, March 31, 2015.

Stodola letter to Hutchinson

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola on Tuesday, March 31, 2015, asked Gov. Asa Hutchinson to veto HB1228.

Indiana Senate Enrolled Act 101

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence on Thursday, March 26, 2015, signed into law this act, which prohibits state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his religious beliefs. The definition of "person" includes religious institutions, businesses and associations.

Federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993, is a federal law aimed at preventing laws that "substantially burden" a person's free exercise of religion.

Arkansas House Bill 1228

HB1228 was written to "provide protection for religious practice and to provide remedies and penalties for violating or abusing religious protections."

DYS Action Plan

The Department of Youth Services resumed utilization of the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center on March 27, 2015.

Motion to dismiss complaint

The motion to dismiss a complaint filed against Michael Morton, Gilbert Baker and former Judge Michael Maggio over Maggio's handling of a negligence lawsuit.

Brief for motion to dismiss complaint

A brief for the motion to dismiss a complaint filed against Michael Morton, Gilbert Baker and former Judge Michael Maggio over Maggio's handling of a negligence lawsuit.

Brad Bolding's appeal letter

North Little Rock High School head football coach Brad Bolding filed a letter of appeal on Thursday contesting the district’s decision to fire him.

Jack Gillean appeal filing

Former University of Central Arkansas Chief of Staff Jack Gillean's commercial burglary conviction should be affirmed because Gillean has not shown that the trial court was wrong to allow the introduction of some evidence, the attorney general's office said in a Monday, March 16, 2015, filing to the Arkansas Court of Appeals.

Hearing schedule

Judge Wendell Griffen declined to recuse from the LIttle Rock School District takeover case and set a scheduling order for the case on Thursday.

Judge Griffen's ruling

Judge Wendell Griffen declined to recuse from the LIttle Rock School District takeover case and set a scheduling order for the case on Thursday.

Annual statements for Arkansas Superior Select

Annual statements for Arkansas Superior Select

Recommendation Letter

A recommendation letter for David Norsworthy to succeed Michael Morton on the Health Services Permit Commission.

Judge Kristine Baker order

Judge Kristine Baker on Wednesday issued a ruling denying a motion to allow same-sex marriages in Arkansas while the issue is being appealed.

Recusal letter

The Arkansas Department of Education filed a formal motion on March 2 asking Judge Wendell L. Griffen to recuse from the Little Rock School District lawsuit.

Wendell Griffen's response

The Arkansas Department of Education filed a formal motion on March 2 asking Judge Wendell L. Griffen to recuse from the Little Rock School District lawsuit.

Justice Department report on shooting of Michael Brown

Justice Department report released Wednesday, March 4, 2015, on the criminal investigation into the shooting death of Michael Brown by the Ferguson, Mo., police Officer Darren Wilson.

Investigation of the Ferguson Police Department

Justice Department investigation of the Ferguson Police Department released Wednesday, March 4, 2015.

Clark's resignation letter

Searcy Police Department Chief Jeremy Clark resigned on Tuesday, March 3, after Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearm and Explosives searched Clark's home.

Audit of Little Rock veterans benefits center

Veterans Affairs' Office of Inspector General published a report Thursday detailing how the Little Rock office had dated overlooked claims to make them appear newer.

Reissued Bolding Termination Letter

The North Little Rock School District reissued a termination letter to head football coach Brad Bolding on Thursday.

Warm-up grant

These documents were obtained in an FOI request from the Central Arkansas Planning and Development District. They include the original order forms for the warm-up suits, the grant notifications for the football grant and the receipt from the NLR Athletic Foundation the school district submitted to the planning district.

Arron Lewis mental evaluation

Arkansas State Hospital report on the mental evaluation of Arron Lewis, a suspect in the killing of Realtor Beverly Carter.

Amended Little Rock School District lawsuit

A group of Little Rock citizens, including two former Little Rock School Board members, have sued the state over the takeover of the Little Rock School District.

LRSD Civic Committee applicants

About 70 people have applied to be a part of the Little Rock School District's civic committee, an advisory panel for the state takeover district.

Little Rock School District lawsuit

A group of Little Rock citizens, including two former Little Rock School Board members, have sued the state over the takeover of the Little Rock School District.

Bolding Facebook comments

Bolding details on Facebook what he believes are disadvantages his program faces that teams in Northwest Arkansas don't. Bolding says he removed the post within 15 minutes.

Wal-Mart 4th-quarter 2015 earnings report

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015, announced its fourth-quarter fiscal 2015 results.

Bolding letter challenging AAA decision

North Little Rock Coach Brad Bolding's attorney sent a letter to the AAA challenging its decision to accept North Little Rock School District's self-reported violation and self-imposed penalties.

Letter from AAA acknowledging forfeits

A letter from the AAA acknowledging North Little Rock School District's self-reported violation and self-imposed penalties.

Josh Hastings Order

The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Arkansas issued an order dismissing a federal excessive force lawsuit against four law enforcement officers, including former Little Rock Police Department officer Josh Hastings.

Josh Hastings Judgment

The U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Arkansas issued a judgment dismissing a federal excessive force lawsuit against four law enforcement officers, including former Little Rock Police Department officer Josh Hastings.

Plaintiffs' motion for lifting of stay

A group of same-sex couples filed a motion on Tuesday asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to lift the stay on same-sex marriages in the state.

Plaintiffs' response to request for second oral arguments

A group of same-sex couples filed a response on Tuesday to the Arkansas Supreme Court request for attorneys to provide legal justification on whether the court should grant a second round of oral arguments in the case.

Same-sex marriage complaint

Cheryl Maples is suing the attorney general, the governor and the head of the department of finance, on behalf of two same-sex couples who are being forced to file taxes as individuals because the department won’t recognize their marriage license.

Terry Mohajir's personal services agreement with the Red Wolves Foundation

A copy of Terry Mohajir's personal services agreement with the Red Wolves Foundation.

Terry Mohajir's amended contract with Arkansas State University

A copy of Terry Mohajir's amended contract with Arkansas State University.

Memo to UCA Audit Committee and Tom Courtway

An internal audit at UCA examines potential conflicts of interest involving an administrator and a trustee and also addresses excessive leave the administrator has taken.

Arkansas Arts Center Statement

This statement summarizes the processes the Arkansas Art Center have undergone to evaluate its facility.

The Economic Impact of the University of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015, released an economic-impact report detailing its effects on the state and local economies in 2014.

NLRSD self report of violations

NLRSD's submission to AAA.

Hoggs Meat Market receipt

Conflicting accounts emerged Friday to explain a $600 check given two years ago to the step-father of a highly recruited wide receiver at North Little Rock High School. Documents submitted by the North Little Rock School District to the Arkansas Activities Association said a football team staff member violated recruiting rules by giving the check to Montez Peterson, the stepfather of K.J. Hill, who signed with Ohio State University this week.

Football equipment receipt

Conflicting accounts emerged Friday to explain a $600 check given two years ago to the step-father of a highly recruited wide receiver at North Little Rock High School. Documents submitted by the North Little Rock School District to the Arkansas Activities Association said a football team staff member violated recruiting rules by giving the check to Montez Peterson, the stepfather of K.J. Hill, who signed with Ohio State University this week.

Bolding termination letter

The North Little Rock School District issued this letter to football coach Brad Bolding on Jan. 30, 2015, citing multiple reasons for his termination.

DYS investigator's notes

Investigator's notes from the White River Juvenile Detention Center in Batesville noted a child who was sent there by the state Division of Youth Services after the agency announced in late December that it would stop sending children to the lockup because of concerns over how staff were using restraints and 23-hour lockdown.

Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney letter

A letter issued by the Lonoke County Prosecuting Attorney on Thursday stated an officer’s use of deadly force was necessary in a Jan. 9 shooting in England.

State General Revenue 2015-17 Executive Recommendations

State General Revenue 2015-17 Executive Recommendations submitted to the Joint Budget Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2015.

Response to motion for second arguments

Attorneys have filed a motion asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to deny Attorney General Leslie Rutledge's request to hold new oral arguments in the lawsuit over the state's gay marriage ban because two new justices weren't at a hearing on the case last year.

Attorney General Rutledge Motion

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge filed a motion Friday asking the Arkansas Supreme Court to hold new oral arguments in the lawsuit over the state's gay marriage ban because two new justices weren't at a hearing on the case last year.

Judge David Laser appointment to Maggio case

Retired Judge David Laser has been appointed to hear the lawsuit against Michael Maggio, Michael Morton and Gilbert Baker.

Letter from HHS Secretary Burwell

Letter to Gov. Asa Hutchinson from Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell.

J.B. Hunt Transport 4th-quarter 2014 earnings

J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, releases its fourth-quarter and full-year 2014 results.

Hutchinson healthcare speech transcript

Full transcript of Gov. Asa Hutchinson's speech about the future of the private option.

Order to revoke bond for Jermain Taylor

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Leon Johnson issued an order to revoke boxer Jermain Taylor's bond in a Aug. 27 shooting on Tuesday.

Motion to revoke bond for Jermain Taylor

Pulaski County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney John Johnson filed a motion on Tuesday to revoke boxer Jermain Taylor's bond in an Aug. 27, 2014 shooting.

Exxon Mobil Federal Agency Report

A federal judge unsealed a federal agency's report in a class-action lawsuit resulting from the 2013 Mayflower oil spill.

Gov. Asa Hutchinon's tax plan

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, released details of his tax plan.

City Director Ken Richardson apology letter

City Director Ken Richardson issued an apology letter to the Little Rock Board of Directors on Monday for a weekend arrest.

Gilbert Baker leave of absence request

University of Central Arkansas Assistant Professor of Music Gilbert Baker requested a leave of absence Friday for the spring 2015 semester.

Michael Maggio criminal information

Michael Maggio, 53, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Chief Judge Brian Miller on Friday, acknowledging he accepted a bribe in exchange for reducing a jury's negligence verdict against a Conway business, officials said.

Michael Maggio plea agreement

Michael Maggio, 53, entered a guilty plea before U.S. District Chief Judge Brian Miller on Friday, acknowledging he accepted a bribe in exchange for reducing a jury's negligence verdict against a Conway business, officials said.

Letter to the Arkansas Department of Education

A letter from the Little Rock School Board to the Academic Distress Committee of the Arkansas Department of Education.

A letter from Little Rock School Board member Joy Springer

A letter from Little Rock School Board member Joy Springer.

Chasse Conque's letter of appointment

Chasse Conque will receive $172,000 annual for three years to be UALR's new athletic director, according to his letter of appointment.

Arkansas Department of Education report

Eight-page report prepared by the Arkansas Department of Education staff on progress or lack of progress in raising achievement in the Little Rock district's six academically distressed schools.

Little Rock School District Report

Eight-page report submitted by the Little Rock School District to the state Department of Education regarding LRSD's efforts to raise achievement in the six schools identified as academically distressed.

Fisken letter

Letter written by Little Rock School Board member Leslie Fisken to state Board of Education member Vicki Saviers.

Ross' response to Fisken's letter

Letter written by Little Rock School Board member Jim Ross to state Board of Education member Vicki Saviers in response to Fisken's letter.

Arkansas general revenue report for December 2014

Arkansas general revenue report for December 2014, released Jan. 5, 2015.

Division of Youth Services response to The Wrap

The following is the response of the Arkansas Division of Youth Services to five incidents involving misuse of The Wrap, hogtying youths or pepper spraying them while in restraints that were identified in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's investigation of the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center.

Internal investigation summary of the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center

The Arkansas Division of Youth Services released a summary Wednesday of the internal investigation it conducted at the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center.

Case details regarding UALR baseball report

The National Collegiate Athletic Association Enforcement office ruled Dec. 4 that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock baseball program committed four Secondary Level III violations. UALR self imposed sanctions that include the loss of practice time, the loss of a volunteer coach for the season and the loss of a full-time assistant for selective practices this season. Also released Wednesday was the report from The Compliance Group, a Salina, Kan., based firm hired by UALR to conduct an independent investigation for potential violations.

NCAA report on UALR baseball program

The National Collegiate Athletic Association Enforcement office ruled Dec. 4 that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock baseball program committed four Secondary Level III violations. UALR self imposed sanctions that include the loss of practice time, the loss of a volunteer coach for the season and the loss of a full-time assistant for selective practices this season. Also released Wednesday was the report from The Compliance Group, a Salina, Kan., based firm hired by UALR to conduct an independent investigation for potential violations.

The Compliance Group report on UALR baseball program

The National Collegiate Athletic Association Enforcement office ruled Dec. 4 that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock baseball program committed four Secondary Level III violations. UALR self imposed sanctions that include the loss of practice time, the loss of a volunteer coach for the season and the loss of a full-time assistant for selective practices this season. Also released Wednesday was the report from The Compliance Group, a Salina, Kan., based firm hired by UALR to conduct an independent investigation for potential violations.

UALR proposed baseball corrective actions

The National Collegiate Athletic Association Enforcement office ruled Dec. 4 that the University of Arkansas at Little Rock baseball program committed four Secondary Level III violations. UALR self imposed sanctions that include the loss of practice time, the loss of a volunteer coach for the season and the loss of a full-time assistant for selective practices this season. Also released Wednesday was the report from The Compliance Group, a Salina, Kan., based firm hired by UALR to conduct an independent investigation for potential violations.

Federal gay-marriage ruling

A Federal judge found Arkansas's gay-marriage ban unconstitutional, but stayed her ruling pending appeal.

Thanksgiving placemat

Thanksgiving placemat for Style section, Nov. 25, 2014.

Martha Bull Estate v. Michael Maggio

Estate of Martha Bull sues former Circuit Judge Michael Maggio on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014.

Exxon responds to motion to disclose all oil spill docs

ExxonMobil responds to a motion that, in part, asks the court to direct the company to show why any document related to the Mayflower oil spill should be kept confidential.

Wal-Mart earnings report, Q3 2015

Wal-Mart releases Fiscal 2015 third-quarter earnings Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014.

Arrest warrant for Melanie McCarty

A Faulkner County judge issued a bench warrant Thursday for Melanie McCarty on charges of Medicaid fraud.

Arrest warrant for Kathy Hall

A Faulkner County judge issued a bench warrant Thursday for Kathy Hall on charges of Medicaid fraud.

NCAA Public Infractions Decision for UAPB

The NCAA presented to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff its infractions report which includes five-year probation, scholarship reductions and UAPB will vacate wins in all sports from fall 2007 to spring 2012.

Shoffner change-of-plea hearing

Former state Treasurer Martha Shoffner will appear in court Monday for a change of plea hearing, according to a court document filed Thursday. Shoffner, 70, of Newport will appear at 10 a.m. before Judge Leon Holmes in U.S. District Court in Little Rock.

Investigation report of Oct. 10 jaguar incident at the LR Zoo

The City of Little Rock released its review of the Little Rock Zoo Monday after a Oct. 10 incident where a 3-year-old child fell into the jaguar exhibit at the zoo.

Arrest affidavit for Rodney Forte

Metropolitan Housing Authority Director Rodney Forte was served with an arrest warrant Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, after he was accused of violating the state's Freedom of Information Act.

Plantiffs' motion to Exxon Mobil

Exxon Mobil declared all 872,000 pages of information it produced about the maintenance and safety of its Pegasus pipeline “confidential” in an effort to have a class-action lawsuit tried in secrecy, the plaintiffs say. They asked a federal judge to order Exxon to show cause as to why documents are confidential.

Arkansas Supreme Court minimum wage opinion

Arkansas' highest court ruled Monday that a proposal to gradually raise the state's minimum wage can remain on the November ballot.

Supreme Court of Arkansas ruling on Arkansas Alcohol Beverage Amendment

The Arkansas Supreme Court announced Thursday that the statewide measure legalizing alcohol sales in all 75 counties can appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Voter-ID ruling

Arkansas Supreme Court opinion striking down voter-ID law.

Letter to Washington County Juvenile Detention Center

The Department of Human Services on Friday sent out letters to three juvenile detention facilities with the WRAP, offering support and assistance in helping to adopt best practices and training or other resources in caring for the youth. The move came after the Human Services Department ordered Yell County's Juvenile Detention Center to stop using the restraint device.

Letter to Benton County Juvenile Detention Center

The Department of Human Services on Friday sent out letters to three juvenile detention facilities with the WRAP, offering support and assistance in helping to adopt best practices and training or other resources in caring for the youth. The move came after the Human Services Department ordered Yell County's Juvenile Detention Center to stop using the restraint device.

Letter to Sebastian County Juvenile Detention Center

The Youth Services Division on Friday sent out letters to three juvenile detention facilities with the WRAP, offering support and assistance in helping to adopt best practices and training or other resources in caring for the youth. The move came after the Human Services Department ordered Yell County's Juvenile Detention Center to stop using the restraint device.

DHS response to Yell County Juvenile Detention Center

The Arkansas Department of Human Service responds to the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center's request for suggestions on alternative measures to the WRAP, a restraint device.

Letter to Yell County Juvenile Detention Center

In this Sept. 29 letter from the Arkansas Department of Human Services to the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center, DHS directed the facility to cease using the WRAP restraint system. This document also includes responses to DHS from the Yell County sheriff's department.

Letter from Juvenile Ombudsman

In this Sept. 18 letter from Scott Tanner, coordinator of the Juvenile Ombudsman Division of the Arkansas Public Defender Commission, to the Yell County Juvenile Detention Center's administrator, the use of the WRAP restraint is addressed, citing interviews with youths who had the restraint used on them.

Fort Smith wet weather overflows

Wet weather overflows from 2007 and 2013.

U.S. attorney's office: 34 indicted in Clinton-based meth ring

The U.S. attorney's office on Wednesday unsealed a Sept. 11 indictment charging 34 people purportedly involved in a "large-scale" meth operation in the Clinton area.

Arkansas representatives' letter to insurance commissioner

U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford, Tim Griffin, Steve Womack and Tom Cotton, all Republicans, sent a letter to Insurance Commissioner Jay Bradford saying that the rates for plans obtained through the marketplace were expected to have been announced Sept. 10, but prices haven't been released yet.

Brewster drug-trafficking organization indictment

U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer released the names and charges of 22 people who were arrested, as well as three who are still at large, in a 62-count federal drug-trafficking indictment. The organization was based in Little Rock.

Exxon Mobil petition

Exxon Mobil’s petition to appeal a federal judge’s decision granting class-action status to a Faulkner County couple’s lawsuit over an oil spill in Mayflower should be denied, attorneys for the couple contended. In a federal-appeals court filing earlier this week, the attorneys disputed Exxon Mobil’s argument that a class-action case was a way to force the oil company to settle. “Exxon is the richest company in the world, literally, and it is preposterous to propose that the certification of this class may compel it to settle,” the attorneys wrote.

Supreme Court ruling removing Michael Maggio from bench

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Sept. 11, 2014, orders immediate removal of the bench of Circuit Judge Michael Maggio.

Darr agreement in repaying $10,973

A Sept. 4, 2014, acknowledgement of payment and release of claims against former Arkansas Lt. Gov. Mark Darr, who was obligated to return $10,973 in funds to the state after the Division of Legislative Audit report found they had been misspent while he was in office.

Prosecuting attorney: Mayflower police officer withheld evidence

Faulkner County Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland says his office would no longer accept case submissions from a Mayflower police officer, accusing him of withholding evidence.

Jonesboro Police Chief Mike Yates resignation letter

Jonesboro Police Chief Mike Yates resigned Monday after he was suspended for 30 days without pay for comments he made about a local reporter on social media.

Chief Yates Press Release

Chief Mike Yates has been suspended for 30 days without pay following comments made on his Facebook directed at a reporter from The Sun.

Consent judgment in Pulaski County desegregation case

Consent judgement in desegregation case, filed Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014.

Nate Steel's 7-point legislative package

Democratic attorney general candidate Nate Steel announces Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, his seven-point legislative package aimed at responding on Arkansas' crowded prisons.

Letter from Arkansas House of Representatives

Letter to Chairman Matthew Shepherd

NLRHS-West parking maps and instructions

The North Little Rock School District released parking instructions for the first day of the 2014-15 school year at North Little Rock High School-West Campus.

McDaniel's human-trafficking task force final report

The Attorney General’s State Task Force for the Prevention of Human Trafficking on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, presented its final report to Arkansas legislators.

Wal-Mart earnings report, Q2 2015

Wal-Mart fiscal year 2015 second-quarter earnings, released Aug. 14, 2014.

McKuin's letter to Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board

Vanessa McKuin, executive director of the Historic Preservation Alliance of Arkansas, asks the Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board to reconsider demolishing the Worthen Bank building in downtown Little Rock.

Architect's plans for downtown LR tech park site

WD&D Architects on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014 presented its plans for a technology park in downtown Little Rock after the Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board approved the location in its July meeting.

Statewide fish-consumption notices (as of Aug. 11, 2014)

Arkansas Department of Health's fish-consumption notices for bodies of water around the state, as of Aug. 11, 2014.

Defense of legal fees in desegregation lawsuit

The legal representatives of the Joshua intervenors in the Pulaski County Special School District desegregation lawsuit filed a defense of the $3.3 million requested for legal fees.

Circuit Judge Michael Maggio comments on JDDC sanction

Circuit Judge Michael Maggio issued a statement Tuesday addressing the Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission's agreed sanction.

Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission report on Judge Michael Maggio

Circuit Judge Michael Maggio has agreed to sanctions with the Arkansas Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission that would have him suspended from his position for the rest of his term and then prohibited from holding a judicial office thereafter.

Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission report on Circuit Judge Michael Maggio

The Judicial Discipline and Disability Commission approved an agreed sanction Wednesday that would suspend Circuit Judge Michael Maggio from his position for the rest of his term and prohibiting him from holding a judicial office thereafter.

Arkansas Juvenile Assessment & Treatment Center program assessment

In a report released Tuesday, juvenile-justice consultant Darryl Olson wrote that the Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center needs to reduce the number of physical interventions and implement new policies and practices to better handle disruptive youths.

Letter to the EPA

Letter from Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel to the Environmental Protection Agency asking for some flexibility on the implementation of the Clean Air Act in Arkansas.

New Tennessee child abuse law

This law made the abuse of fetuses a crime under state law in Tennessee and allows the state to prosecute mothers who give birth to drug-addicted babies.

State objects to legal team's request in desegregation case

The state of Arkansas objects to a request for $3.3 million in state-paid fees to the legal team that represents black students in the ongoing Pulaski County school desegregation lawsuit.

Exxon Mobil remedial work plan proposal

Exxon Mobil disclosed in a federally filed report that it had been unable to determine what accelerated the the growth of manufacturing-defect cracks that caused the Pegasus pipeline to rupture last year in Mayflower.

2013-15 State aid adjustments for school buildings

The Arkansas Commission for Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation on Wednesday approved a $2.3 million upward adjustment in state funding for school building projects that were previously approved for the 2013-15 biennium.

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, June 30, 2014, decides the Burwell v. Hobby Lobby case, ruling that corporations can hold religious objections that allow them to opt out of the new health law requirement that they cover contraceptives for women.

Public letter of caution to Michael Maggio

The state Ethics Commission issues a public letter of caution to Circuit Judge Micahel Maggio.

Ethics Commission's offer of settlement to Michael Maggio

The state Ethics Commission gives Circuit Judge Michael Maggio a written offer of settlement.

Ethics Commission issues final action letter to Michael Maggio

The state Ethics Commission issues a final action letter to Circuit Judge Michael Maggio acknowledging the receipt of his fine and signed public letter of caution.

Exxon Mobil responds to lawsuit

Exxon Mobil responds to lawsuit in Mayflower oil spill filed by state and federal governments.

Mobil Pipeline Company respond to lawsuit

Mobil Pipeline Company responds to Mayflower oil spill lawsuit filed by state and federal officials.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission letter to Entergy about Arkansas Nuclear One

Nuclear Regulatory Commission letter to Entergy about Arkansas Nuclear One • March 24, 2014

Ethics Commission letter to Thomas Buchanan

Arkansas Ethics Commission Director Graham Sloan informs Attorney Thomas Buchanan that Circuit Judge Michael Maggio's case is on the commission's agenda for June 20.

Accufacts Major Issues Memo

Accufacts' update of major issues related to the Pegasus Pipeline and Central Arkansas Water.

Mike Ross Jobs First Plan for Arkansas

Mike Ross, Democratic nominee for governor, released his job creation plan for Arkansas on Thursday at the Chaffee Crossing development in Fort Smith.

ExxonMobil Environmental Services Co. mitigation action plan

ExxonMobil Environmental Services Co. in May 2014 put forth a mitigation action plan in response to an oil-pipeline rupture in Mayflower.

Marijuana legalization ballot proposal approval

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel approved the wording of a ballot proposal on Wednesday that would legalize marijuana in Arkansas.

UCA internal audit on Gilbert Baker

The University of Central Arkansas released its internal audit findings on former state Sen. Gilbert Baker, who resigned as executive assistant to the UCA president on April 2, 2014, after a company he founded was linked to Fort Smith businessman Michael Morton’s support for Circuit Judge Michael Maggio’s appeals-court campaign. The FBI is investigating donations that Maggio’s campaign accepted from political action committees funded almost entirely by Morton and his companies.

Tyson Foods announces bid to buy Hillshire Brands

Tyson Foods on Thursday, May 29, 2014, made a $50-per-share cash bid to acquire Hillshire Brands.

Ethics complaint against John Burris

An ethics complaint was filed against Rep. John Burris who is in a runoff race for a state Senate seat.

Bryant School District Superintendent Tom Kimbrell's contract

Former state Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell and the Bryant School District agree on a contract, good from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2017, after his hiring as district superintendent that lays out his duties, compensation and more.

Legislative roll call — Motion to suspend rules

The Arkansas Legislature voted on whether to suspend the rules to allow the introduction of legislation against same-sex marriage and to consider the impeachment of Circuit Judge Chris Piazza.

Interim resolution in support of Amendment 83

INTERIM RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL EXPRESS ITS SUPPORT OF AMENDMENT 83 TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION DEFINING MARRIAGE AS CONSISTING ONLY OF THE UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN.

Michael Frost charges

Criminal charges for Michael Frost, a former lieutenant over the criminal investigations division for the Saline County sheriff's office.

Arkansas Supreme Court stays judge's gay-marriage ruling pending appeal

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Friday, May 16, 2014, granted the state's request to stay Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's ruling that overturned the state's ban on same-sex marriages.

Plaintiffs respond to state's request for stay

Plaintiffs in a case challenging Arkansas' prohibitions on same-sex marriage have filed a response arguing against the state's request for an emergency stay of Circuit Judge Chris Piazza's latest ruling.

JoNell Mallory charges

Criminal charges for JoNell Mallory, the former chief deputy of finance for the Saline County sheriff's office.

Former Saline County Sheriff Bruce Pennington charges

Criminal charges for former Saline County Sheriff, Bruce Pennington.

Piazza notice to attorneys of clarified order

Judge Chris Piazza says in this notice to attorneys that a new order will correct and expand a Friday ruling that struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriages.

McDaniel again asks Supreme Court for stay of gay-marriage ruling

Soon after Circuit Judge Chris Piazza issued a new ruling that declares unconstitutional all state laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, the attorney general's office filed another motion for an emergency stay with the state Supreme Court.

Piazza final order on gay marriage nunc pro tunc

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza on Thursday, May 15, 2014, expands his May 9 ruling that declared unconstitutional the state's prohibitions on same-sex marriage.

Gay-marriage case plaintiffs' motion for clarification of judgment

Lawyers for gay couples ask Thursday, May 15, 2014, for Circuit Judge Chris Piazza to clarify in his ruling that all laws barring gay marriage be voided.

Order denying defendants' motion for immediate stay

Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza on Thursday, May 15, 2014, denies the motion by defendants in a gay-marriage case for an immediate stay of his May 9 ruling.

Wal-Mart earnings report, Q1 2015

Wal-Mart released its fiscal year 2015 first-quarter earnings May 15, 2014.

Judge Piazza May 15 final order on gay marriage bans

Judge Chris Piazza on Thursday broadened his original ruling finding the state's bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, applying it to all state laws and regulations that bar same-sex unions.

Court dismisses Valerie Bailey's appeal

The Arkansas Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of Valerie Thompson Bailey, who was ruled ineligible in circuit court to run for judge because of a multiyear suspension tied to late fees and failing to undergo necessary training.

Court: Judge Fox eligible despite late fees

The Arkansas Supreme Court upholds Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox's eligibility to run for judge's positions despite having paid his licensing fees late in 2013.

Court: Judge Foster still eligible despite late fees

The Arkansas Supreme Court upheld Judge H.G. Foster's eligibility saying the rule that results in lawyer suspensions for not paying licensing fees is unconstitutional because it does not provide them "procedural due process."

Court strikes voter-ID ruling

The Arkansas Supreme Court tossed out a judge's ruling striking down the state's voter ID law, but stopped short of ruling on the constitutionality of the measure.

State response to motion to dismiss gay marriage ruling appeal

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel is again asking the state's highest court to suspend a ruling striking down a gay-marriage ban, saying it's led to "pervasive" confusion among county clerks.

Court declines stay of gay-marriage ruling

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday denied requests to stay and dismissed the appeal by the state of the ruling striking down the state's gay marriage ban, because the initial ruling did not address an Arkansas law that prohibits a marriage license being "issued to persons of the same sex."

Court: Judge Byrd still eligible despite late fees

The Arkansas Supreme Court rules Angela Byrd is still eligible as a circuit judge candidate despite her late licensing fees.

Saline County Clerk's statement on same-sex marriage

Saline County on Tuesday stopped issuing same-sex marriage licenses a day after granting six of them.

'Voter report card' mailing

The Arkansas secretary of state's office said Tuesday, May 13, 2014, that a letter publicizing which people in a neighborhood had voted in past elections was not issued or authorized by the office's Election Division and not tied to an Arkansas business entity.

Piazza strikes down Arkansas' same-sex marriage ban

Arkansas Judge Chris Piazza struck down the state's ban on gay marriage on May 9.

Tyson Foods 2nd-quarter earnings

Tyson Foods Inc. releases its second-quarter 2014 earnings on Monday, May 5, 2014.

Tornado victims profiles

Dem-Gaz profiles of those who died in the April 27, 2014, tornado.

Tornado victims profiles, page 2

Dem-Gaz profiles of those who died in the April 27, 2014, tornado.

Court: Desegregation office will close June 30

U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. on Monday directed that the federal Office of Desegregation Monitoring close effective June 30.

UAMS business village master plan

The master plan for UAMS' business village proposal.

Little Rock Zoo - Master Plan Report for 4/14/14

Little Rock Zoo Master Plan Report for 4/14/14

Lawsuit against Salem Place Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, et al.

Circuit Judge Michael Maggio began presiding over another negligence lawsuit involving a second nursing home owned by Michael Morton just weeks after the Morton-financed PAC donations started rolling into Maggio’s appeals-court campaign. Maggio never recused from this case, which is still pending, even after contention arose over the other nursing-home case he handled.

Response to nursing home lawsuit

Response to a negligence lawsuit involving a second nursing home owned by Michael Morton that Circuit Judge Michael Maggio began presiding over just weeks after the Morton-financed PAC donations started rolling into Maggio’s appeals-court campaign. Maggio never recused from this case, which is still pending, even after contention arose over the other nursing-home case he handled.

Home BancShares first-quarter 2014 earnings

Home BancShares Inc. releases its first-quarter earnings report Thursday, April 17, 2014.

Simmons First National first-quarter 2014 earnings

Simmons First National Corp. released its first-quarter 2014 earnings Thursday, April 17, 2014.

Interstate 49 map

The Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department said Wednesday, April 16, 2014, that the federal government has allowed it to label parts of I-540 and U.S. 71 as I-49.

Judge Holmes denies acquittal for Shoffner

For a second time, U.S. District Judge J. Leon Holmes rejects Martha Shoffner's federal jurisdiction argument.

Paul Becton Jr. arrest warrant

Warrant for arrest of Paragould obstetrician Paul Becton Jr.

Bruce Pennington's letter to the Division of Legislative Audit

Bruce Pennington writes a response to legislative auditors about their findings in the audit of the Saline County sheriff's office.

Audit report for Saline County sheriff's office

The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee releases its report of the Saline County sheriff's office.

Separation agreement for ex-Supt. Randy Rutherford

A separation agreement between the Bryant School District and ex-Supt. Randy Rutherford.

Stephens School District consolidation terms

This recommendation for how to consolidate the Stephens School District into three nearby districts was passed by the state Board of Education Thursday by a 5-2 vote.

Full list of Central Arkansas Water CEO applicants

Full list of applicants for the position of chief executive officer at Central Arkansas Water.

Letter from Ancil Lee III to Chris Stewart

Ancil Lea III states in a letter to attorney Chris Stewart, Esq. that he has not been and is not a part of the Citizens for Technology PAC.

Letter to the Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission in Michael Maggio case

An attorney representing the plaintiffs in a lawsuit against Circuit Judge Michael Maggio has asked the Arkansas Judicial Discipline & Disability Commission to investigate "the source of two investments or holdings referenced, along with any improper solicitation and/or acceptance of money, mutual funds, annuities, [stock], investments, holding or gifts by Judge Maggio."

Prosecution requests dismissal of charges against Josh Hastings

Prosecutors for the state have requested the dismissal of charges against Josh Hastings, who was accused of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a teenager while on duty in 2012.

Michael Morton contribution letters

Nursing-home tycoon Michael Morton or one ofhis business entities gave roughly $100,000 to UCA after Gilbert Baker joined the university executive staff, records show.

Gilbert Baker job description and salary

A letter from Steven Runge, provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Central Arkansas, to Gilbert Baker describing his job duties and salary at the school. Baker resigned from his job as executive assistant to the president on April 4.

Approved, unfunded academic facilities projects statewide for 2013-15

This document contains a full list of approved but unfunded projects for the Academic Facilities Partnership Program for the 2013-15 biennium.

McDaniel's 2014 opinion on juvenile DNA sampling

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's opinion on juvenile DNA sampling issued April 2, 2014.

Exxon Mobil's Pegasus pipeline remedial work plan

A year after an Exxon Mobil Pegasus pipeline burst in a Mayflower community, Exxon releases a remedial work plan to verify the integrity of the southern segment of the oil line.

PHMSA approves Exxon Mobil's plan to reopen part of Pegasus pipeline

In a letter dated March 31, 2014, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration approves Exxon Mobil's plan to restart the southernmost section of the Pegasus pipeline that ruptured in Mayflower on March 29, 2013.

Ethics commission letter to complainant in Maggio case

The Arkansas Ethics Commission responds to a complainant who filed suit against Circuit Judge Mike Maggio.

Arrest report for Andrea Davis - Manslaughter/ Use of communication device

This arrest report dated March 27, 2014, accuses Andrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of manslaughter and use of a communication device in furtherance of a felony.

Arrest warrant for Andrea Davis - theft by receiving (2)

This arrest warrant dated Jan. 16, 2014, accuses Andrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of theft by receiving.

Arrest warrant for Andrea Davis - theft by receiving

This arrest warrant dated Jan. 16, 2014, accuses Adrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of theft by receiving.

Arrest warrant for Matthew Davis - manslaughter

This arrest warrant dated March 24, 2014, accuses Matthew Royal Davis of Hot Springs of manslaughter.

Arrest warrant for Andrea Davis - manslaughter

This arrest warrant dated March 24 accuses Andrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of manslaughter.

Affidavit for warrant of arrest of Andrea Davis - residential burglary

This arrest affidavit dated Jan. 1, 2014 accuses Andrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of residential burglary.

Arrest report for Andrea Davis - burglary/theft

This arrest report dated March 27, 2014, accuses Andrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of residential burglary and theft of property.

Arrest warrant for Andrea Davis - use of a communication device

This arrest warrant accuses Andrea Lea Davis of Hot Springs of using a communication device in furtherance of a crime.

Curtis Coleman's "Let Arkansas Prosper" plan

Businessman and conservative Republican candidate for governor Curtis Coleman on Wednesday, March 26, 2014, proposes eight consecutive years of state income tax cuts for Arkansas taxpayers.

Arkansas Supreme Court reassigns Judge Maggio's cases

The Arkansas Supreme Court ordered Monday that Judge Mike Maggio's cases be reassigned in light of recent ethical complaints.

Ethics complaint in Maggio PAC case

A legal representative of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit against Judge Mike Maggio filed an ethics complaint Tuesday, March 18, 2014, asking the Ethics Commission to investigate whether Maggio or others involved in the case violated campaign contribution laws.

Shoffner defense files motion for acquittal

Defense attorneys for former state Treasurer Martha Shoffner filed a motion for an acquittal of federal charges of bribery and extortion against her. The following document contains the motion as well as a summary brief by Shoffner's defense in support of the motion. Jurors on March 11 found Shoffner guilty of six counts of extortion, one count of attempted extortion and seven counts of bribery.

Asa Hutchinson Workforce PREPARE Plan

Republican candidate for governor Asa Hutchinson on March 19, 2014, releases his plan to improve work-force training in Arkansas.

ExxonMobil DADAR report, revision 5

Almost one year after the Pegasus pipeline ruptured and spilled heavy crude into a Mayflower neighborhood, Exxon Mobil has recommended further efforts to remove the remaining oil from drainage ways and a cove of Lake Conway; however, it says the company needs to do nothing more to clean up the areas' soil and sediment.

Public disclosure notice on Arkansas Baptist College

The Higher Learning Commission issued a public disclosure notice effective Feb. 27 that Arkansas Baptist College is at risk for being out of compliance with one or more of the commission's Criteria for Accreditation.

Formal notification of action against Arkansas Baptist College

The Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees issued an official notice of action against Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock Monday because the college is at risk for being out of compliance.

ADE response to Americans United

The Arkansas Department of Education's letter to Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, the state's biology standards and the letter from Responsive Education Solutions.

UCA student charged over hazing incident

UCA student and frat Isaiah Christopher Ozuna was charged over a hazing incident on or about March 4.

Michael Maggio formally withdraws candidacy

Michael Maggio formally withdrew his candidacy March 6, 2014, from the race for the Arkansas Court of Appeals, District 2, Division 1, under criticism for comments he made online about women, sex and an actress’ adoption case.

Fact-finder: LRSD employees due for a raise

A fact-finder has concluded that Little Rock School District employees are entitled to a 3 percent across-the-board raise retroactive to July 1.

ADEQ comments on ExxonMobil's final report

The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality comments on ExxonMobil's remediation plan for the Mayflower oil spill.

Windstream 4th-quarter and full-year 2013 results

Windstream 4th-quarter and full-year 2013 results, released Feb. 27, 2014.

Dillard's fourth-quarter and fiscal-year 2013 earnings release

Dillard's Inc. press release Monday, Feb. 24, 2014, on its fourth-quarter and fiscal-year 2013 results.

Beebe's 2003 opinion on juvenile DNA sampling

Mike Beebe, who was attorney general in 2003, outlines his opinion to Circuit Judge Rita Gruber on juvenile DNA testing.

Order to suspend Andrea Davis' law license

The order to suspend Andrea Davis' law license.

Wal-Mart earnings report, Q4 2014

Wal-Mart's earnings for the fourth quarter of 2013.

Exxon fact sheet on Pegasus pipeline segments

A fact sheet provided by Exxon Mobil to Central Arkansas Water about the Pegasus pipeline segments and what it would mean to restart the southern (Texas) segment.

10th Annual AP Report to the Nation for Arkansas

Annual report of Advanced Placement test performances for Arkansas schools

Stanley Miller's personnel file

The personnel file of Stanley Miller, Operations Manager for Little Rock Wastewater Utility.

Second superseding indictment for Martha Shoffner

Second superseding indictment against former State Treasurer Martha Shoffner including mail fraud charges.

Gillean defense asks for motion to reconsider judge's decision

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean have asked a judge to reconsider his decision rejecting their previous request that any court filings containing evidence in the case be sealed until after Gillean is tried on commercial burglary charges.

Affidavit for Myron Terrell

An affidavit about Conway resident Myron Terrell — who was arrested after, police say, he shot a woman multiple times inside a Wal-Mart — that was issued by prosecuting attorney Cody Hiland in Faulkner County.

Mark Darr's official resignation letter

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr's official resignation letter was released Friday, Jan. 31, 2014. It stated that Darr would resign from his position Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014,

Little Rock Wastewater audit report

An independent audit of the Little Rock Wastewater utility

Boyce's Indictment

An indictment filed in September 2012 about former Searcy elementary school nurse Susan Boyce, which alleges that Boyce used another person's registered nursing license number and social security number.

Memorandum on LR Wastewater Utility investigation

Summary of LRPD investigation into allegations of "questionable expenditures" by the Little Rock Wastewater Utility.

UAMS financial report, first half of Fiscal 2014

UAMS financial report, first half of Fiscal 2014 titled Executive Summary of Larger Variances.

Downstream Areas Data Assessment Report

Downstream Areas Data Assessment Report concerning the oil spill in Mayflower, Arkansas.

Responses to ADEQ Comments

Responses to ADEQ Comments Received December 13, 2013.

Jackson, Tenn., police statement on shooting

Markel Owens, 21, was fatally shot during a home invasion robbery Wednesday.

Arkansas School Recognition Program

The Arkansas School Recognition Program was established to provide financial awards to schools that have displayed high student performance and academic growth.

Mark Darr resignation letter

Resignation letter of Lt. Gov. Mark Darr.

NLR apartment complex accused of discrimination

The National Fair Housing Alliance released a complaint that it filed with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Thursday against the Lakewood Hills Apartment Homes, located at 2400 McCain Blvd, about discriminating against those who are hearing-impaired. The apartment complex is owned by RCP Lakewood LLC.

Brad Choate statement to Legislature's Joint Performance Review Committee

Prepared statement of Brad Choate, former vice chancellor for the Division of University Advancement at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville to the Legislature's Joint Performance Review Committee on Jan. 7, 2014.

Sheen monitoring report no. 8

Sheen monitoring report no. 8 from the oil spill that occurred near Mayflower.

John Diamond's prepared statement for Jan. 7, 2014

A prepared statement by John Diamond, former associate vice chancellor of university relations for the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, to a second legislative panel about the $4 million deficit spending by the school's fundraising office.

Mark Darr statement: No resignation

Lt. Gov. Mark Darr said Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2014, that he would not resign from office and intends to serve out the remainder of his term.

U.S. District Court receives responses to proposed settlement

A U.S. District Court has reviewed the proposed desegregation settlement and says that it has received nine filings in response to the notice.

Brande Coy arrest affidavit

Arrest warrant for Brande Coy regarding the death of 75-year-old Joan Kappen, who was attacked by Coy's bull mastiff while on a walk on Nov. 21 in Hot Springs Village.

Emily Coy arrest affidavit

Arrest warrant for Emily Ann Coy from Nov. 21 dog attack that killed Joan Kappen, 75.

Hudson Hallum offer of settlement

Hudson Hallum offer of settlement.

Enable gas transmission documents

Application package to close gas pipeline segments- part 3.

Central Arkansas Pipeline Project

Application package to close gas pipeline segments- part 2.

George Stepps complaint

George Stepps complaint.

Offer of settlement from the Arkansas Ethics Commission to Lt. Gov. Mark Darr

Offer of settlement from the Arkansas Ethics Commission to Lt. Gov. Mark Darr.

Pipeline construction and abandonment documents

Application package to close gas pipeline segments- part 1.

Darr accepts terms of settlement

Darr's letter accepting the terms of the settlement.

City of Sherwood objects to deseg settlement agreement

The city of Sherwood files a formal objection to the proposed desegregation settlement.

Little Rock Chamber voices support for desegregation settlement

A letter filed by the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce voices support for the proposed desegregation agreement.

Beebe requests federal aid for December storms

In a 15-page letter to President Barack Obama, Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe requests federal aid to help counties that suffers damages in December's winter storms.

NLR resident objects to proposed deseg settlement (3)

North Little Rock resident Ola Ware files an objection to the proposed desegregation settlement.

NLR resident objects to proposed deseg settlement (2)

North Little Rock resident Samia Johnston files a formal objection to the proposed desegregation settlement.

NLR resident objects to proposed deseg settlement

North Little Rock resident Sharon Whitehurst files a formal objection to the proposed desegregation settlement.

Sherwood ed group objects to deseg agreement

Linda Remele and Beverly Williams file a formal objection on behalf of the Sherwood Public Education Foundation to the proposed desegregation settlement.

State vs. Clay Brown

Former vice chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Clay Brown was charged with forgery and abuse of office after authorities said he used university or foundation funds to buy banners, books and a rug for a church he attended.

Clay Brown incident report

Former vice chancellor at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Clay Brown was charged Nov. 21, 2013, with forgery and abuse of office after authorities said he used university or foundation funds to buy banners, books and a rug for a church he attended.

Memphis Police Department public recordings policy

The Memphis Police Department on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, issued a policy that officers could not arrest civilians for filming them if the civilians had a right to be there.

ASU coach Blake Anderson's contract

The contract of new Arkansas State head football coach Blake Anderson.

Letter to John Threet

A letter from state legislators to John Threet, 4th Judicial District prosecuting attorney, regarding the University of Arkansas.

Stipulation by Joshua Intervenors and PCSSD regarding unitary status

U.S. District Court desegregation case document filed Monday, Dec. 16, 2013.

Diamond: Prosecutor erred in UA report

UA spokesman John Diamond claims the prosecutor handling an investigation of UA's legislative audit of the university's advancement division erred in part of his report about the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette's request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Brad Choate's prepared statement for Dec. 13, 2013

Brad Choate, the former director of the University of Arkansas' advancement division, had prepared a 15-page statement to deliver Friday, Dec. 13, 2013, to the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee regarding an audit of that division. The panel opted to not hear testimony from neither Choate nor Joy Sharp, the division's former budget officer, before accepting the audit as sound.

Prosecutor: No crime committed in UA deficit case

A state prosecutor tasked to investigate auditors' questions regarding a multimillion dollar deficit in the University of Arkansas' Advancement Division has determined that no criminal wrongdoing took place.

June 3 letter from ADH to PHMSA, EMPCO

The Arkansas Department of Health forwards a June 3 letter to ExxonMobil and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in which it notes that 18 of Arkansas' drinking-water sources could potentially be affected by the same Pegasus pipeline that ruptured in Mayflower this year if another rupture occurred along the line.

PHMSA responds to ADH letter

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration responds to a June 3 letter from the Arkansas Department of Health.

ExxonMobil hearing request

A request for a hearing before the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Office of Pipeline Safety, by ExxonMobil concerning the oil spill near Mayflower.

Kevin Duck arrest warrant

Arrest warrant for Kevin Duck for first degree murder in the death of Dawna Natzke.

Arkansas Democrat page 4, Nov. 24, 1963

Arkansas Democrat page 4, Nov. 24, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat front page Nov. 24, 1963

Arkansas Democrat front page Nov. 24, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat page 4A, Nov. 23, 1963

Arkansas Democrat page 4A on Nov. 23, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat page 11A, Nov. 23, 1963

Arkansas Democrat page 11A, Nov. 24, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat page 3A Nov. 24, 1963

Arkansas Democrat page 3A on Nov. 24, 1963.

Arkansas Gazette front page Nov. 23, 1963

Arkansas Gazette front page, Nov. 23, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat page 2A, Nov. 23, 1963

Arkansas Democrat page 2A, Nov. 23, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat page A3; Nov. 23, 1963

Arkansas Democrat page A3 on Nov. 23, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat front page Nov. 23, 1963

"Arkansas Democrat" coverage of JFK assassination, Nov. 23, 1963.

Arkansas Democrat front page Nov. 22, 1963

"Arkansas Democrat" front page, Nov. 22, 1963.

Letter: Griffin opposed to restarting Pegasus pipeline

In a Nov. 21 letter to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Rep. Tim Griffin states his opposition to the restart of the ExxonMobil Pegasus pipeline that caused an oil spill in Mayflower.

Tony Bernard Smith v. Honorable L.T. Simes, Circuit Court Judge of Phillips County, Arkansas, Criminal Division

The Supreme Court rules Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, that Phillips County Circuit Judge L.T. Simes erred in appointing a special prosecutor in the capital-murder case against Tony Bernard Smith.

"Transitional agreement" between PCSSD and Joshua intervenors

This separate agreement, related to the global school district desegregation settlement, between the Pulaski County Special School District and Joshua intervenors enumerates how the district will gain unitary status.

Updated draft of school desegregation lawsuit settlement

As of Nov. 19, 2013, this is the most recent draft of the tentative settlement in the Pulaski County school desegregation lawsuit.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration updated report on Exxon spill

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration updates an April 26, 2013, report on the Exxon Mobil Pegasus pipeline spill.

West Memphis drug bust

A total of 20 individuals were named in a 25-count indictment regarding a drug trafficking ring based in West Memphis on Monday.

Desegregation settlement draft outline, November 2013

An outline of a desegregation-aid settlement agreement among the state of Arkansas and Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts and intervening parties.

Compliance investigation of DCC Parole/Probation Services

This document contains the results of an investigation into the state Department of Community Correction's Parole and Probation Services.

ExxonMobil $2.6 million fine

Document from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to ExxonMobil regarding a $2.6 million fine, violations and a compliance order.

Public School Choice Transfer report

The Arkansas Department of Education's survey on school-choice transfers

Summary of police investigation into Department of Community Correction

Gov. Mike Beebe on Monday released the results of an administrative investigation into the Department of Community Correction.

Rep. Griffin responds to McDaniel's letter

U.S. Rep Tim Griffin, R-Ark., responds to Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's letter that contended the federal government shutdown is impeding efforts in the Mayflower oil spill investigation and requested Griffin's assistance in restarting federal operations.

McDaniel's letter to Rep. Griffin

In a letter dated Oct. 8, 2013, Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel contends to U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin that the federal government shutdown is affecting the Mayflower oil spill investigation and litigation against Exxon Mobil.

Anderson's letter to mayor, board of directors

Letter from University of Arkansas-Little Rock Chancellor Joel E. Anderson to Mayor Mark Stodola and the board of directors.

Army informs ASU chancellor of ROTC closure

The Department of the Army informed Arkansas State University Chancellor Timothy Hudson on Wednesday that the school's ROTC program will close.

State's respone to Jack Gillean voir dire motion

The state responds to Jack Gillean's motion for individual voir dire on the subject of pre-trial publicity.

State's response to Gillean's motion to seal future motions

The state responds to Jack Gillean's motion to require future motions to be filed under seal.

Mayflower mayor statement on spill 6 months later

Mayflower Mayor Randy Holland on Friday, Sept. 27, 2013, says he's "pleased" with Exxon Mobil's response to the Pegasus pipeline spill of March 29.

Thomas Anderes resume

Thomas Anderes is one of two applicants a search committee plans to interview for director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

Shane Broadway resume

Shane Broadway is one of two applicants a search committee plans to interview for director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

2013 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report

2013 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report

Confidentiality agreement between Exxon, CAW

Confidentiality agreement between the ExxonMobil Pipeline Company and Central Arkansas Water regarding the Mayflower oil spill.

Gillean requests future court motions to be sealed

Ex-UCA official Jack Gillean requests for future court motions and responses to be sealed.

Robinson Center renovation, before and after

Before and after view of renovation plans for the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

Robinson Center renovation, overhead

Overhead view of renovation plans for the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

Robinson renovation plans, overall

Overall renovation plans for the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

Robinson Center renovation, 3D

Three-dimensional rendering of renovation plans for the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

New health insurance premiums in Arkansas

New individual health insurance premiums in Arkansas

Robinson Center renovation, side view

Side view of renovation plans for the Robinson Center in downtown Little Rock.

Gillean requests for jury selection process on pretrial publicity

Gillean requests for jury selection process on pretrial publicity

CAW's notice of intent letter to Arkansas officials

Central Arkansas Water provides a letter of intent informing Arkansas officials of its intent to file a civil suit against ExxonMobil and the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in 60 days if PHMSA does not enforce ExxonMobil to comply with the Pipeline Safety Act.

Notice of intent to file civil suit against ExxonMobil, PHMSA

Attorneys for Central Arkansas Water inform ExxonMobil and the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration of the company's intent to file a civil suit if PHMSA fails to enforce compliance with the Pipeline Safety Act.

Tim Griffin letter to Exxon Mobil

U.S. Rep. Tim Griffin writes Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, to the president of Exxon Mobil Pipeline Co. about his concerns after the March pipeline rupture and spill in Mayflower.

Judge dismisses lawsuit in Dirksmeyer case

Judge James M. Moody orders the dismissal of Kevin Jones' lawsuit against Gary Dunn and Russellville officials in the Nona Dirksmeyer case.

UA audit

An investigative report from the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee on the University of Arkansas Division of University of Advancement.

Pennington resignation, declaration of vacancy resolution

A Saline County Quorum Court resolution declaring a vacancy in the office of sheriff and a retirement letter from Sheriff Bruce Pennington.

Officer Jeffrey Harris termination letter

The Little Rock Police Department on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, fired Officer Jeffrey Harris after his involvement in an April bar fight in Fayetteville.

Lost Valley Environmental Assessment

An environmental assessment for Lost Valley Trail & Campground.

Joel E. Anderson letter to UALR

UALR Chancellor Dr. Joel E. Anderson's letter to students and faculty concerning budget and enrollment.

Prosecutor amends charges against Jack Gillean

Following a motion by Jack Gillean to dismiss burglary charges against him, Prosecutor Cody Hiland files an amendment to add two additional charges against Gillean.

State's response to Gillean's motion to dismiss

State's response to Jack Gillean's motion to dismiss burglary charges.

Saline County judge letter to Pennington

The letter from Saline County Judge Lanny Fite to Saline County Sheriff Bruce Pennington of Sept. 3, 2013, urging him to retire immediately.

Sheriff Bruce Pennington letter amending retirement date

Saline County Sheriff Bruce Pennington said Monday, Sept. 2, 2013, that he would not retire Oct. 1, 2013, but instead intended to serve out his term.

Sheriff Bruce Pennington retirement letter

Saline County Sheriff Bruce Pennington said Aug. 30, 2013, that he would retire Oct. 1.

McDaniel's opinion on schools arming, licensing staff as security guards

Opinion of Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel on guns being allowed in the Clarksville School District and who is able to carry them.

Correspondence from John Diamond to Chris Wyrick

John Diamond's response to correspondence from Chris Wyrick.

Chris Wyrick correspondence with John Diamond

Correspondence from Chris Wyrick to John Diamond.

Order issued by Judge L.T. Simes

Order issued last week by Judge L.T. Simes in case involving First Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Fletcher Long and defendant Tony Bernard Smith.

Arkansas ACT report

The Condition of College and Career Readiness of 2013 report.

Fletcher Long statement

Statement from First Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Fletcher Long.

Bookout Resignation Letter

Sen. Paul Bookout's letter of resignation

ExxonMobil emergency response plan request letter

Government coalition letter sent to ExxonMobil Pipeline Company on May 15 requesting the company's emergency response plan.

Central Ark. Water 2010 letter to PHMSA

CAW writes to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration on July 19, 2010 to express concerns regarding the ExxonMobil Pipeline's Emergency Response Plan.

Letter from ExxonMobil president

A July 26th letter from ExxonMobil Pipeline Company president Gary Pruessing addressing an information request about the Pegasus Pipeline and concerns about the Lake Maumelle Watershed.

Court order removes prosecutor from Tony Smith murder case

A court order issued Friday by Phillips County Circuit Judge L.T. Simes removes prosecutor Todd Murray from Tony Smith murder case.

2010 Pipeline report: Conway-Corsicana (Part 4)

2010 in-line inspection results from the stretch of pipeline from Conway, Ark. to Corsicana, Texas. (Part 4 of 4)

2010 Pipeline report: Conway-Corsicana (Part 3)

2010 in-line inspection results from the stretch of pipeline from Conway, Ark. to Corsicana, Texas. (Part 3 of 4)

2010 Pipeline report: Conway-Corsicana (Part 1)

2010 in-line inspection of the Pegasus pipeline segment running from Conway, Ark. to Corsicana, Texas. (Part 1 of 4)

2010 Pipeline report: Conway-Corsicana (Part 2)

2010 in-line inspection results from the stretch of pipeline from Conway, Ark. to Corsicana, Texas. (Part 2 of 4)

2010 Pipeline report: Doniphan-Conway

Run and summary of results of the pre-spill 2010 in-line inspection from Doniphan, Mo. to Conway, Ark.

New laws from 89th General Assembly

2013 summary of general legislation from the 89th General Assembly of Arkansas.

Oil spill pressure test, Section 1

Hydrostatic pressure test by Mobil pipeline company.

Oil spill pressure test, Section 21

Hydrostatic pressure test by Mobil Pipeline Company, Section 21.

Oil spill pressure test, Section 8

Hydrostatic pressure test by Mobil Pipeline Company, Section 8.

Oil spill pressure test, Section 15

Hydrostatic pressure test by Mobil Pipeline Company, Section 15,

C&H Hog Farms lawsuit

A lawsuit filed on behalf of a coalition of environmental organizations against the Department of Agriculture, the Small Business Administration and others over the authorization of guarantees for loans issued to the operators of C&H Hog Farms.

Mayflower oil spill: Metallurgical report

Metallurgical investigation of a fractured section of the 20" O.D. pipeline at milepost 314.77 in the Conway to Corsicana segment of the Pegasus crude oil pipeline.

Pryor, Boozman, Griffin oil spill letter

Letter from U.S. Senators Mark Pryor and John Boozman, along with Congressman Tim Griffin, regarding the Mayflower oil spill.

Police report on dog biting man's scrotum

Trumann Police Department report on dog biting a paralyzed man in the scrotum.

ExxonMobil responds to Arkansas officials

Exxon Mobil says it is "premature" for the company to have "discussions of significance" with Arkansas officials worried about potential dangers the Pegasus pipeline poses to the Lake Maumelle watershed. The president of the Exxon Mobil Pipeline Co. also declined to release any additional reports or inspections beyond those already disclosed. He says the company will discuss various issues, including additional safety measures, "at the appropriate time" and before the pipeline is restarted.

Maumelle's no-solicitation list registration form

Maumelle No Solicitation Registration Form

Sedrick Reed complaint

Arkansas State Police Lt. Sedrick Reed was fired and charged after an investigation revealed he was taking drugs from the evidence room and turning them over to a drug dealer, according to this federal complaint.

School choice documents 3

School choice documents.

School choice documents

School choice documents.

School choice documents 2

School choice documents.

School choice documents 4

School choice documents.

School choice documents 5

School choice documents.

School choice documents 7

School choice documents.

School choice documents 6

School choice documents.

Officer-involved shooting report

The police report from Monday's officer-involved shooting that left one man dead off 12th Street in Little Rock.

Exxon Mobil's response to Rep. Markey letter

Exxon Mobil responds to letter from Rep. Ed Markey.

Rep. Markey letter to Exxon

Rep. Ed Markey's inquiry letter to Exxon Mobil regarding response to Mayflower oil spill.

Rep. Markey letter to Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Rep. Ed Markey's letter to to Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

Lawsuit to repeal Arkansas anti-gay marriage amendment

A lawsuit filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court on Tuesday to repeal the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Arkansas.

Class-action suit against Exxon Mobil

Class-action suit filed by owners of land near Lake Conway seeking damages against Exxon Mobil Corp.

U.S. v. Shannon Guess Richardson

Shannon Guess Richardson was indicted Thursday, June 27, 2013, on charges she mailed three threatening letters including the toxin ricin, including one to President Barack Obama.

U.S. v. Windsor ruling on DOMA

The U.S. Supreme Court rules Wednesday, June 26, 2013, that legally married same-sex couples should get the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.

Arkansas, Missouri delegation Blueway letter

Letter sent by members of the Arkansas and Missouri delegations to the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell concerning the designation of the White River as a National Blueway.

Synthetic drug bust

Report from a nationwide synthetic drug bust that netted five arrests in Arkansas.

Hollingsworth et al. v. Perry et al. ruling on Prop 8

U.S. Supreme Court ruling Wednesday, June 26, 2013, over California's Proposition 8.

Defense accident in Josh Hastings trial

The accident report submitted by the defense in the Josh Hastings manslaughter trial.

Prosecution accident report in Hastings trial

The accident report submitted for the prosecution in the Josh Hastings manslaughter trial.

Neil Parliment resignation letter

Resignation of former Garland County Sheriff's Deputy Neil Parliment.

Draft letter of intent proposed by UAMS

Draft letter of intent proposed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences on June 13, 2013.

Draft letter of intent proposed by St. Vincent Health System

Draft letter of intent proposed by St. Vincent Health System in May 2013.

Randeep Mann's U.S. Supreme Court appeal

Randeep Mann's appeal to have his case be brought in front of the Arkansas Supreme Court.

Western Amateur news release

The Western Amateur this summer at Warren Stephens' The Alotian Club is drawing an elite field of amateur golfers, organizers said this week.

Prosecutor: Conway officers justified in shooting

Faulkner County Prosecutor's office finds that officers were justified in the March 3 "use of deadly force" against John Raines.

Revised proposal for UAMS-St. Vincent partnership

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' most recent proposal for a partnership with St. Vincent Health System.

U.S.-Arkansas complaint against Exxon Mobil

Arkansas-federal joint complaint against Exxon Mobil over a burst pipeline that spilled thousands of barrels of oil into a Mayflower neighborhood, displacing residents from 22 homes and raising environmental concerns.

Dec. 14, 2012, Legislative Joint Auditing Committee transcript

Transcript of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee's Dec. 14, 2012, presentation of the update on the special report concerning selected bond investments made by the state treasurer's office.

Sept. 17, 2012, Legislative Joint Auditing Committee minutes

A synopsis of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee minutes for Sept. 17, 2012.

Dec. 14, 2012, Legislative Joint Auditing Committee minutes

Synopsis of the Legislative Joint Auditing Commitee's minutes for Dec. 14, 2012.

Shannon Richardson arrest affidavit

Shannon Richardson charging affidavit.

Sept. 17, 2012, Legislative Audit testimony

Transcript of Legislative Joint Auditing Committee's Sept. 17, 2012, testimony by state Treasurer Martha Shoffner.

Martha Shoffner indictment

Indictment of former state treasurer Martha Shoffner.

Release: Shoffner indicted

Former state treasurer Martha Shoffner was federally indicted Wednesday less than a week after Judge Leon Holmes rejected her guilty plea.

Order removing Searcy County sheriff from office

An order removing Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassel is filed in Circuit Court.

Proposed rules on voter identification

These are the proposed rules for voter identification by the Arkansas Secretary of State.

NLRSD, city file motion to end TIF lawsuit

The city of North Little Rock and the North Little Rock School Distrcit jointly file to end TIF lawsuit filed in early 2009.

Declines in State Teen Birth Rates by Race and Hispanic Origin

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that between 2007 and 2011, births among teen mothers dropped significantly in all states except for two.

High court reverses State vs. Cassell decision

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a lower-court ruling that Searcy County Sheriff Kenny Cassell could continue in office despite a decades-old misdemeanor conviction. The high court sends the case back to circuit court with instructions that it issue a ruling in line with Thursday's decision — that Cassell, a Republican, cannot legally continue in office.

Martha Shoffner resignation letter

Resignation letter of Arkansas State Treasurer Martha Shoffner.

Lawsuit: Parents, grandparents sue Blytheville School District

A group of parents and grandparents sued the Blytheville School District on Monday, claiming the district had illegally barred their children from transferring schools under the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 2013.

Martha Shoffner criminal complaint

Criminal complaint on state Treasurer Martha Shoffner

Benghazi e-mails

One hundred pages of e-mails released by the White House on Wednesday, May 15, 2013, reveal intensive jostling among top intelligence and diplomatic officials over the government’s “talking points” in the aftermath of September 2012’s attacks in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans.

LR school district appeals charter school ruling

The Little Rock School District is asking a federal appeals court to reverse U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr.’s decision that permitted the unfettered establishment of independently operated, public charter schools in Pulaski County without regard to the state’s obligations to support desegregation efforts in the three Pulaski County school districts.

Cocaine conspiracy indictments

Sixteen people with ties to a Mexican drug cartel on May 14 were federally charged with conspiring to distribute more than 100 kilograms of cocaine throughout Arkansas, among other charges.

UA tuition and fees request for FY 2014

The University of Arkansas System's tuition and fees proposal for FY 2014.

Exxon property purchase program

ExxonMobil details its property purchase program for the residents affected by the March 29, 2013 oil spill.

UCA opts out of gun law

The University of Central Arkansas board of trustees voted to opt out of the newly passed gun law in Arkansas that would allow faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons.

Phillips County jail inspection

Documents concerning the Phillips County jail inspection.

Defendant's brief in support of response of quashing subpoena

Defendant's brief in support of his response of to the motion of quashing subpoena in Jack Gillean case.

Defendant's response to state's motion to quash subpoena in Gillean case

Defendant's response to state's motion to quash subpoena in Gillean case.

Little Rock Ward 3 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

2013 May commencements

A list of May commencements for Arkansas colleges and universities

UCA Faculty Senate resolution

University of Central Arkansas Board policy documents.

Little Rock Ward 2 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

Little Rock Ward 6 infrastructure plan

A map of the street and drainage projects planned for the first three-year cycle of the voter-approved citywide sales tax funding for capital improvements and the first of two rounds of bond money from the voter-approved capital improvement millage extension.

Little Rock Ward 6 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

Little Rock Ward 1 infrastructure plan

A map of the street and drainage projects planned for the first three-year cycle of the voter-approved citywide sales-tax funding for capital improvements and the first of two rounds of bond money from the voter-approved capital improvement millage extension.

Little Rock Ward 1 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

Little Rock Ward 7 infrastructure plan

A map of the street and drainage projects planned for the first three-year cycle of the voter-approved citywide sales-tax funding for capital improvements and the first of two rounds of bond money from the voter-approved capital improvement millage extension.

Little Rock Ward 7 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

Little Rock Ward 5 infrastructure

A map of the street and drainage projects planned for the first three-year cycle of the voter-approved citywide sales-tax funding for capital improvements and the first of two rounds of bond money from the voter-approved capital improvement millage extension.

Little Rock Ward 5 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

Little Rock Ward 4 infrastructure plan

A map of the street and drainage projects planned for the first three-year cycle of the voter-approved citywide sales-tax funding for capital improvements and the first of two rounds of bond money from the voter-approved capital improvement millage extension.

Little Rock Ward 4 overlay plan

A map of planned street resurfacing projects for 2013-2015, paid for through Little Rock's voter-approved capital improvements millage extension. Each ward is set to receive $3 million in resurfacing money over the three years.

Little Rock Ward 2 infrastructure plan

A map of the street and drainage projects planned for the first three-year cycle of the voter-approved citywide sales-tax funding for capital improvements and the first of two rounds of bond money from the voter-approved capital improvement millage extension.

Disapproved Academic Facilities Partnership Program Projects for 2013-15

A list of the disapproved projects for the Academic Facilities Partnership for the 2013-2015 biennium.

Approved Academic Facilities Partnership Program Projects for 2013-15

A list of approved projects for the Academic Facilities Partnership for the 2013-2015 biennium.

Criminal complaint against Dzhokhar Tsarnaev

Criminal complaint filed against suspected Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Harold Smith plea agreement

Guilty plea agreement for Harold Smith

Harold Smith: Statement of facts

Statement of facts leading to charges against Harold Smith.

Mayflower oil spill: Federal Corrective Action Order

A Corrective Action Order issued to ExxonMobil by the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.

House Bill 1219

House Bill 1219 would allow the state to spend federal Medicaid dollars to expand coverage to about 250,000 low-income Arkansans.

G&K ends agreement with Rental Realty

Things quickly start to fall apart after Davis took over. The money stream seems to dry up, and a falling-out with the property management group, Rental Realty, ties up most of Davis' funds.

G&K: Rainey Realty takes over

Investors move most of their properties under new management after they realize G&K doesn't have the ability to pay their mortgages.

G&K: Davis notifies other company officials of complaint

G&K: Davis notifies other company officials of complaint by Rental Realty.

G&K: Company sold to Jeff Davis

Chicago real estate broker Jeff Davis bought the company Jan. 1 after seeing an online ad and visiting Little Rock to work with G&K for several months. Investors were blindsided by the move.

G&K: Davis responds to investigation

Several investors file complaints with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission, accusing Davis of improperly managing their investments and questioning his license.

G&K notifies investors of failure to pay mortgages

G&K notifies investors of failure to pay mortgages

G&K reorganization plan

Investors move most of their properties under new management after they realize G&K doesn't have the ability to pay their mortgages.

G&K files complaint against Rental Realty

Davis files a retaliatory complaint against Rental Realty. The Real Estate Commission did not find any fault with Rental Realty.

G&K: Arkansas Real Estate Commission issues opinion on Davis

Arkansas Real Estate Commission issues opinion on Davis

G&K: Rental Realty sues for payment

Rental Realty officials file a lawsuit in Pulaski County Circuit Court seeking almost four months' worth of back payments. The suit was settled before trial.

G&K letter to Rental Realty tenants

Davis and Rental Realty officials fight over responsibility for money issues, and each sends a letter to tenants staking a claim to rent checks.

G&K: Rental Realty's letter to tenants

Davis and Rental Realty officials fight over responsibility for money issues, and each sends a letter to tenants staking a claim to rent checks.

G&K recruitment letter as economy worsens

Exton and Wilkinson continue to send out letters as the mortgage crisis worsened in 2008. The letters outline how the investment would work, and encourage people to reinvest previous profits.

G&K recruits its first investors

G&K starts sending out letters to attract investors, starting with family and friends, in 2004. The company quickly began buying distressed properties as part of their larger mortgage plan.

G&K: Wilkinson runs for sheriff

As the company collapses, Wilkinson decides to run for Lonoke County sheriff, financing his campaign with personal loans.

Mayflower oil spill: Waste disposal plan

A waste disposal plan for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: Exxon status maps for April 3-4

ExxonMobil maps detailing operations and incident status for April 3 and 4 in the vicinity of the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: April 4 cleanup assignments

An ExxonMobil map showing oil spill cleanup assignments near Lake Conway for April 3.

Mayflower oil spill: Wildlife task force assignments for April 3

An ExxonMobil map detailing the Wildlife Task Force assignments in the vicinity of the Mayflower oil spill for April 3.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for April 2

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for April 2 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for April 3

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for April 3 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for April 4

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for April 4 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for April 7

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for April 5-7 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for March 31

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for March 30-31 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for April 1

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for March 31- April 1 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill: Incident status summary

An incident summary for the Mayflower oil spill, updated April 8.

Mayflower oil spill: Wabasca heavy crude oil data

A material safety data sheet for the Wabasca Heavy Crude Oil that spilled from the Exxon Mobil Pegasus pipeline in Mayflower.

Mayflower oil spill: Sampling and analysis plan

The Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health, LLC, prepared sampling and analysis plan for ExxonMobil Pipeline Company. This document shows the plan was modified April 4.

Mayflower oil spill: Homeowner re-entry plan

A re-entry plan for homeowners displaced by the Mayflower oil spill.

Mayflower oil spill clean-up response draft

A draft for the Mayflower oil spill clean-up response.

House Bill 1143

House Bill 1143 would give 250,000 low-income Arkansans access to government-funded private health insurance through Medicaid expansion. The bill is sponsored by state Rep. John Burris, R-Harrison.

Mayflower oil spill: EPA report for March 30

An Environmental Protection Agency pollution/situation report for March 29-30 for the Mayflower oil spill.

Senate Bill 1020

Senate Bill 1020 would give 250,000 low-income Arkansans access to government-funded private health insurance through Medicaid expansion. The bill is sponsored by state Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Beebe.

Courtney Speer court documents

Affidavit of probable cause and charging information for Courtney Speer, the former Bryant teacher accused of having sex with a student.

Lawsuit filed against Exxon Mobil in Mayflower oil spill

A lawsuit has been filed against Exxon Mobil as result of the oil spill in Mayflower last week.

Documents related to Arkansas v. Jack Gillean

Documents related to the case of the State of Arkansas v. Jack W. Gillean.

UAMS-St. Vincent partnership agreement draft

Possible terms for St. Vincent/UAMS network collaboration agreement.

National School Shield Task Force report by Asa Hutchinson

The report of the National School Shield Task Force by Asa Hutchinson.

Human Health Services endorses state healthcare private option

In a letter to Gov. Mike Beebe, the department of Human Health Services endorses the private option for state healthcare.

Linda Newkir

A letter from Linda Newkirk, of the Farm Services Agency, to Kevin G. Cheri, superintendent of the Buffalo National River. (Editor's note: The writer of this letter was misidentified in a previous version of this posting. The error has been corrected.)

Kevin Cheri letter

A letter from Kevin Cheri, superintendent of the Buffalo National River, to Linda Newkirk, state executive director of the Farm Services Agency.

Entergy statement on fatal accident at Arkansas Nuclear One plant

Entergy released this statement following a fatal accident at the Arkansas Nuclear One plant in Russellville.

UCA board policy on president search process

University of Central Arkansas' Board policy on President search process

State vs. Jeff Johnston: Motion for recusal of Judge Maggio

Jeff Johnston's attorneys file a motion to recuse Judge Maggio from his case.

Hicks, Byers appeal for second motion and brief for reconsideration

Pam Hicks (formerly Pam Hobbs) and John Mark Byers appeal for a second motion and brief for reconsideration regarding access to the evidence in the West Memphis murder case.

PIT Funds document

Documents of a resolution to authorize the city manager to enter into contracts with nine organizations to provide youth youth initiative programs in targeted neighborhoods

Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County 10th annual survey report

UALR's 10th annual Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County survey report.

Youth assistance resolution documents

Documents for a resolution to authorize the city manager to enter into a contract with new futures for youth to provide technical assistance to youth intervention and neighborhood-based programs.

NBP Funds document

Documents for a resolution to authorize the city manager to enter into contracts with nine organizations to provide neighborhood-based after-school/out of school time programs in targeted neighborhoods.

Beebe Senate Bill 2 veto letter

Governor Mike Beebe's letter concerning his veto of Senate Bill 2, which proposed requiring Arkansans to show identification when voting.

Operation Crystal Clear statement

Operation Crystal Clear statement from the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Arkansas.

Operation Crystal Clear indictment

Operation Crystal Clear indictments.

Brandon Barber indictment

A federal indictment against former developer Brandon Barber and two other men.

Brandon Barber indictment 2

A second indictment against Brandon Barber and two other men.

Documents for Hillcrest hit-and-run

Documents filed in the case of a hit-and-run accident in Hillcrest.

Bill Halter's "Arkansas Promise" plan

Gubernatorial candidate Bill Halter details his plan to cover college tuition for all qualifying high school graduates.

UCA trustee Elizabeth Farris' speech to the board

Text of UCA trustee Elizabeth Farris' speech to the board, asking to name the honors college after Norbert Schedler.

Fourth site proposed for LR Technology Park

An image of a fourth site proposal for the Little Rock Technology Park.

Answer to Renewal Ranch Complaint

Answer filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court on a complaint from Lewis and Sharon Bishop against Renewal Ranch

Renewal Ranch complaint

Complaint filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court by Lewis and Sharon Bishop against Renewal Ranch

House Bill 2274

AN ACT TO ENCOURAGE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCED INTRASTATE COLLEGIATE ATHLETICS OPPORTUNITIES, AND INCREASED COMMUNITY AND PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

LRSD letter regarding Roberts Elementary

The Little Rock School District announced in a letter that at least one elementary school in the district - Roberts - is so full that it has to cut four pre-kindergarten classes to make room for K-5 students.

ADH letter concerning Monticello water samples

Arkansas Department of Health letter concerning Monticello water samples.

Little Rock Ward 4 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 4 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Little Rock Ward 7 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 7 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Little Rock Ward 6 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 6 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Little Rock Ward 3 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 3 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Little Rock Ward 2 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 2 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Little Rock Ward 1 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 1 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Jack Gillean's 'immunity' motion

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean file an 'immunity' motion, which essentially protects - to an extent - promises made to defense witnesses that exempt them from certain charges in exchange for information and testimonies.

Little Rock Police and Fire award winners

Little Rock's top police and firefighters were honored Tuesday at an annual award ceremony.

Jack Gillean's brief in support of bill of particulars motion

Former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean files a brief in support of his motion for a bill of particulars.

Jack Gillean's motion for severance and election

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean file a motion of severance and election.

Jack Gillean's motion for preservation of evidence

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean file a motion for the preservation of evidence.

Jack Gillean's motion for exculpatory evidence

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean file a motion for exculpatory evidence.

Jack Gillean's motion for bill of particulars

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean file a motion for a bill of particulars.

Little Rock Ward 5 storm-cleanup map

This map shows where in Little Rock Ward 5 crews are working to pick up debris left by a Christmas night winter storm that slammed Little Rock with snow and ice.

Change of venue motion filed for Jack Gillean

Attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean says his trial on felony charges should be moved to another county because of “unfavorable and extensive” pretrial publicity.

Motion of discovery for Jack Gillean

Defense attorneys for former UCA Chief of Staff Jack Gillean file a motion of discovery.

Beebe vetoes Senate Bill 134

Gov. Beebe's veto letter for Senate Bill 134.

Tom Courtway e-mails on financial aid and scholarship restructuring

Two e-mails from UCA President Tom Courtway's regarding the restructuring of the university's Office of Financial Aid and scholarship policies.

Greg Adams' response

Little Rock School Board member Greg Adams' response to e-mail communications regarding the district's superintendent search.

Norma Johnson response

Little Rock School Board member Norma Johnson's response to e-mail communications regarding the district's superintendent search.

Leslie Fisken response

Little Rock School Board member Leslie Fisken's response to e-mail communications regarding the district's superintendent search.

Jody Carreiro response

Little Rock School Board member Jody Carreiro's response to e-mail communications regarding the district's superintendent search.

Dianne Curry response

Little Rock School Board member Dianne Curry's response to e-mail communications regarding the district's superintendent search.

Larry Burns resigns from UCA

Larry Burns's resignation letter

Beebe's letter on 20-week abortion bill veto

Gov. Mike Beebe issues an official statement Tuesday regarding his decision to veto a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of gestation.

Laurence Alexander's UAPB application materials

Laurence B. Alexander's application materials submitted to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in November 2012 for the chancellor position.

Stefanie Phillips application for Little Rock School District superintendent

Application from Stefanie Phillips for Little Rock School District superintendent.

Dexter Suggs application for Little Rock School District superintendent

Application from Dexter Suggs for Little Rock School District superintendent.

Walter Milton Jr. application for Little Rock School District superintendent

Application from Walter Milton Jr. for Little Rock School District superintendent.

Connie Hathorn application for Little Rock School District superintendent

Application from Connie Hathorn for Little Rock School District superintendent.

Part 1 (3 of 3): Job performance records for Advancement Division

Part one (3 of 3), continued of job performance records regarding previously unreleased documents related to a shortfall in the advancement division at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Part 2: Job performance records for Advancement Division

Part two of job performance records regarding previously unreleased documents related to a shortfall in the advancement division at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Part 1 (1 of 3): Job performance records for Advancement Division

Part one of job performance records regarding previously unreleased documents related to a shortfall in the advancement division at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Part 1 (2 of 3): Job performance records for Advancement Division

Part one, continued, of job performance records regarding previously unreleased documents related to a shortfall in the advancement division at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Consent to release job performance records

Employee consent letter regarding previously unreleased documents related to a shortfall in the advancement division at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

Opening letter regarding Arkansas Advancement Division

Opening letter regarding previously unreleased documents related to a shortfall in the advancement division at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville.

John Tyson resigns from UA Board of Trustees in letter to Beebe

In a letter to Gov. Beebe, John Tyson resigned from the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees on Friday, Feb.15.

UCA Memorandum of Understanding

The unsigned agreement between The University of Central Arkansas Foundation Inc. and the University of Arkansas regarding the construction of sky boxes and a weight facility.

Arkansas Democrat-Gazette vs. University of Arkansas

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette filed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit against the University of Arkansas over the university's refusal to release an audit report of its deficit-burdened Development Division.

Change of venue motion filed for Jeff Johnston

A motion was filed late Monday on behalf of Faulkner County Administrator Jeff Johnston to request a change of venue for a July hearing on felony theft-of-property charges.

Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board Meeting

Agenda for Little Rock Technology Park Authority Board Meeting on Wednesday, February 13.

Crafton Tull Site Reports for Technology Park

Findings for three proposed technology park sites from Crafton Tull & Associates, Inc.

Preliminary findings from Charles Dilks on possible technology park sites

Technology park consultant Charles Dilks wrote a letter to board chair Mary Good on Sept. 28 with his findings on the 23 possible sites. Attached is his letter to Good and his findings on each of the submitted sites.

Charles Dilks' Feb. 6 letter to Mary Good

Tech park consultant Charles Dilks wrote a letter to board chair Mary Good on Feb. 6 to voice his concern on the three proposed site choices for a technology park.

Feb. 1 status report on Pulaski County Special School District

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas reviews the Pulaski county Special School District's Feb. 1 report, which was ordered by the court on Dec. 10.

LRSD response to ADE's motion for release

Little Rock School District's responses to ADE's motion to release from the 1989 settlement agreement.

Report concerning one-race classrooms

Special longitudinal report concerning one-race classrooms.

Building fund projects numbers

Numbers involving the building fund projects,

Acxiom third quarter results

Third quarter results from Acxiom.

E-mail from Andrew Linn

E-mail correspondence between UCA's former Associate Director of Financial Aid Andrew Linn and UCA President Tom Courtway regarding Linn's recent termination from the university.

Arkansas State Police complaint: Zackary Saxon

Trooper Zackary Saxon was fired after it was determined he was having sexual relations with a married woman while on duty.

Senate Bill 71: The Church Protection Act of 2013

AN ACT TO BE KNOWN AS THE CHURCH PROTECTION ACT OF 2013; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Jim Lynch, Tony Orr and Glen M. Miller v. Mark Stodola and Joe Smith

The plaintiffs allege that the cities of Little Rock and North Little Rock unlawfully appropriated funds generated by tax revenue since 1993 to the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce because they weren't following the cities' bidding procedures.

Dustin McDaniel news release

Dustin McDaniel announces he is dropping out of the 2014 governor's race.

Judge's ruling on charter schools in desegregation case

Judge J. Price Marshall Jr.'s ruling that charter schools in Pulaski County do not violate the 1989 Settlement Agreement.

Judge's ruling for hearing in payment case

Judge J. Price Marshall, Jr.'s ruling for a hearing to determine whether the state must continue to pay the Little Rock, North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts.

Clemons/Hesterly indictment

Indictment of Harry Clemons, Jr. and James Michael Hesterly.

Transcript: MEMS talks to woman trapped in sinking SUV

This is a transcript of the call between an MEMS operator and Jinglei Yi, who on Monday was trapped with her son in her SUV as it sank into a freezing pond off Cooper Orbit Road in Little Rock. Yi died later that morning after failed attempts to "warm her internal organs." The 911 operator (not the MEMS operator) who received Yi's call is currently on administrative leave with pay pending an investigation into how the call was handled. (Transcribed by Spencer Willems, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette)

Department of Justice statement on Hesterly/Clemons case

The Department of Justice statement on the indictment of Harry Clemons, Jr. and Judge James Michael Hesterly.

House committees

89th General Assembly committee members and chairs

State v. David Foy Westenhover

Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland of Conway charges David Foy Westenhover with theft by receiving, aiding consummation of offense and hindering apprehension or prosecution.

Little Rock storm update

City manager Bruce Moore on Tuesday offered this report on the city's efforts during and after a historic Christmas night winter storm.

Correspondence with UAMS' Melony Goodhand

Correspondence to Melony Goodhand from UAMS Chancellor Daniel Rahn.

Application materials for UAPB chancellor candidates

Four finalists have been named for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff chancellor position. This document contains their application materials.

Dustin McDaniel prepared remarks

Dustin McDaniel's prepared remarks in his first public appearance since acknowledging an extramarital affair.

AG's response to open records request

The Attorney General's office responded a Freedom of Information Act request by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette regarding communications between Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and Hot Springs attorney Andrea Davis.

McDaniel's correspondance with Andrea Davis

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's office released documents Friday afternoon showing his communications with Hot Springs attorney Andrea Davis. An e-mail from McDaniel's office explains the documents' contents and the reason why McDaniel chose to release the information despite believing the office is exempt from doing so. That e-mail has been added to the beginning of documents provided by the office.

Andi Davis custody case filing

A document filed in a custody case involving Hot Springs attorney Andi Davis and her ex-husband includes questioning about her purported affair with Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.

National Defense Authoritzation Act conference report

National Defense Authorization Act conference report for fiscal 2013.

Report on Improvements Made in DYS Education

The Arkansas Department of Human Services' Report on Improvements made in DYS Education.

Bryan Harsin's personal services agreement with ASU's Red Wolf Club Inc.

Arkansas State University Red Wolves Head Coach Bryan Harsin's personal services agreement with the ASU Red Wolf Club, Inc.

Bryan Harsin's head coach contract with ASU

Arkansas State University's contract terms for its new head football coach, Bryan Harsin.

Lizana probable cause affidavit

Probable cause affidavit in Arkadelphia killings case.

UCA security breach audit report

A full audit report of the UCA security breach involving former UCA faculty member Jack Gillean.

Saving history: A record of Arkansas politicians' papers

The papers and correspondence of past Arkansas political leaders are archived at several facilities around the state. Where the documents go is up to the politician, and some collections are partial or split between institutions. The following document provides a full list of Arkansas politicians and where their papers are located throughout the state.

Pam Massey e-mail to Cheryl Lyons

University of Central Arkansas' audit director Pam Massey's Dec. 5, 2012, e-mail to Cheryl Lyons.

Internal audit report on Jack Gillean

The University of Central Arkansas' director of internal audit's report on the security breach by former chief of staff Jack Gillean.

Cameron Stark police report

Cameron Stark reported his car stolen in 2010.

Bret Bielema letter of agreement

The University of Arkansas' letter of agreement with new head football coach Bret Bielema.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission v. U.S.

The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, that the federal government is not automatically exempt from paying for damage caused by temporary flooding from government-owned dams. The court unanimously sided with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in its appeal of a lower court ruling that said the federal government did not have to pay for damage to thousands of trees after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released more water than usual from its dam on the Black River. The release of additional water benefited farmers, but the commission said its hardwood forest suffered significant damage.

UCA Athletic Department Q&A

UCA faculty members answer questions regarding the university's athletic program.

Zachary Holly probable cause affidavit (disturbing content)

NOTE: The affidavit contains disturbing content. A probable cause affidavit for Zachary Holly, who is charged in the death of 6-year-old Jersey Bridgeman.

Buddy Villines responds to Pulaski County mayors' proposal

Judge Buddy Villines responds to the Pulaski County mayors' proposal for funding a new county jail.

City of Beebe complaint

The city of Beebe is suing White County because the county has decided to distribute fire-department funding based on 2000 Census numbers rather than 2010 data. Beebe's mayor says $8,000 or $9,000 is at issue this year for his town.

Pulaski County mayors propose funding for jail

Mayors of Pulaski County submitted a proposal to the Quorum Court on Monday suggesting how the cities could assist with the additional expenses of the new county jail.

NCAA FCS Bracket

The University of Central Arkansas will face Georgia Southern in the second round of the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs on Dec. 1.

State vs. Cassell - Part 1

The Arkansas attorney general's office has appealed a judge's decision that the Searcy County sheriff could remain in that job despite a decades-old misdemeanor conviction. *Note: Due to file size, this document was split into two parts. This is part one of two.

State vs. Cassell - Part 2

The Arkansas attorney general's office has appealed a judge's decision that the Searcy County sheriff could remain in that job despite a decades-old misdemeanor conviction. *Note: Due to file size, this document was split into two parts. This is part two of two.

Victor Rosas homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the shooting death of Victor Rosas

Charles Hall Jr. homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the death of Charles Hall Jr.

Darrin Williams homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the Oct. 30 death of Darrin Williams.

2013 House Committees

A list of the 2013 House Committees. The Chairman and Vice Chairman will be determined after the House picks a new speaker.

Lt. David Hudson's suspension letter

Little Rock Police Department Chief Stuart Thomas suspends Lt. David Hudson for a 2011 fight outside of a Hillcrest-neighborhood restaurant.

Latest Benton County results

Benton County results including all but about 500 ballots that have to be hand counted and overseas ballots.

State vs. Johnston: Attorney Joe Don Winningham's appeal of sanctions

Attorney Joe Don Winningham appeals sanctions ordered against him Oct. 10 after a judge said his motion to dismiss a theft case involving the Faulkner County administrator was frivolous.

State vs. Jeff Johnston: Response to renewal of motions

State of Arkansas vs. Jeff Johnston: Response to renewal of motions for discovery and motion for Kastigar hearing and exclusion of evidence

Hawkins vs. Christ et al

Nikita Hawkins files suit against James Christ et al on a complaint that the Little Rock Police Department officers used excessive force against her grandson, Landris Hawkins, when they responded to a call of an "attempted suicide".

Class 3A Football Playoff Bracket

Bracket for 2012 football playoffs

Class 2A Football Playoff Bracket

Bracket for 2012 football playoffs

Class 4A Football Playoff Bracket

Bracket for 2012 football playoffs

Class 5A Football Playoff Bracket

Bracket for 2012 football playoffs

Class 6A Football Playoff Bracket

Bracket for 2012 football playoffs

Class 7A Football Playoff Bracket

Bracket for 2012 football playoffs

October revenue report

The Department of Finance and Administration on Friday released the state's revenue report for October.

Health professionals publicly for and against Issue 5

Arkansans for Compassionate Care and the Family Council Action Committee provided lists to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette of Arkansas medical professionals who have publicly stated their support of or opposition to Issue 5, a proposed initiated act to legalize the use of medical marijuana in the state of Arkansas.

Little Rock police associations letters

October 2012 letters between the Little Rock Fraternal Order of Police and the Little Rock Black Police Officers Association.

Court motions to dismiss PCSSD union suit

Pulaski County Circuit Court motions to dismiss the Pulaski County Special School District unions' suit against state and district leaders.

UA trademark case: Cease and desist; response

Attorneys for the University of Arkansas ask the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in a letter to stop using unauthorized Razorback images in its commercials. Attorneys for the committee follow up with a response.

Murphy Oil 3rd Quarter Earnings

Murphy Oil's preliminary third quarter earnings for 2012.

Senators ask McDaniel about medical marijuana

Senators Jeremy Hutchinson and Johnny Key ask Attorney General Dustin McDaniel about his stance on medical marijuana vending machines in a Oct. 30, 2012 letter.

American Cancer Society 2012 Facts and Figures

2012 Facts and Figures released by the American Cancer Society.

'Gazette Project': 2001 interview with Bill Simmons

This 2001 interview with political editor Bill Simmons is part of an oral history project about the Arkansas Gazette. It was conducted by the Arkansas Center for Oral History at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Simmons passed away on Oct. 29, 2012.

Fiscal impact of medical marijuana

The Arkansas Department of Health estimates the cost to implement and maintain the Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act. The act is supposed to be self sustaining based on fees, but there would be start-up costs.

Court order to release Richard Conte

Faulkner County Circuit Court Judge Charles E. Clawson Jr. orders Richard Conte to be released on his own recognizance pending his January trial.

Bloodman vs. Woods, Hiland & Shipley

Attorney Teresa Bloodman files suit against Faulkner County Circuit Judge Rhonda Wood, Prosecuting Attorney Cody Hiland and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Joan Shipley over what she says were violations of her constitutional rights when Wood kicked her out of her courtroom.

Conte defense reply to state's motion

Richard Conte's defense replies to the state's motion to hold Richard Conte. The court decided in favor of the defense.

Conte: Motion for continuance, trial setting and tolling of time

Motion for continuance, trial setting and tolling of time in the Richard Conte case.

Bloodman lawsuit dismissal

Eighth District Circuit Court dismisses Teresa Bloodman's lawsuit.

Children and Families closure letter

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families told the state of Arkansas that it had successfully completed its program improvement plan as part of its federal Child and Family Services review and that all penalties would be rescinded.

Acxiom second quarter results

Acxiom second-quarter business results.

2012 Arkansas Poll questions

The 2012 University of Arkansas poll's codebook of questions.

2012 Arkansas Poll Summary Report

The University of Arkansas of Fayetteville released Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, the 2012 Arkansas Poll on state residents' political attitudes.

Richard Conte court documents

"Motion for release on own recognizance" documents in the Richard Conte Case after his arrest in Nevada in August of 2011.

Forensic Evaluation Report of Richard Conte

The completed forensic report performed at the Arkansas State Hospital Forensic Services for Richard Conte.

Attorney General's opinion on Fayetteville A&P

An Attorney General's opinion on whether the Fayetteville Advertising & Promotion Commission can give money to the University of Arkansas.

Josh Hastings' termination letter

Chief Stuart Thomas issues a letter of termination to former Little Rock police officer Josh Hastings regarding multiple investigations into his conduct and performance. Hastings was arrested and charged with manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old in September.

Perversion files: Eugene Huntzicker

From the Boy Scout "perversion files" : Eugene Huntzicker

Perversion files: Sam C. Otts

From the Boy Scout "perversion files" : Sam C. Otts

McDaniel's 2014 gubernatorial primary contributions

A list of contributions (more than $50) made in 2012 for Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's 2014 gubernatorial primary campaign.

McDaniel's 2014 gubernatorial run-off contributions

A list of contributions (more than $50) to Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's 2014 gubernatorial primary run-off campaign.

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act

The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Act would make the medical use of marijuana legal under Arkansas state law.

Comments from The Department of Health and Human Services 3

These documents include evaluations conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services during an inspection of the Arkansas State Hospital.

Comments from The Department of Health and Human Services 2

These documents show the findings the Department of Health and Human Services discovered during an inspection of the Arkansas State Hospital. This set of documents shows deficiencies found during an entrance conference conducted on Sept. 17, 2012 and comments from an exit conference conducted on Sept. 21, 2012.

Comments from The Department of Health and Human Services

These documents show the findings the Department of Health and Human Services discovered during an inspection of the Arkansas State Hospital.

Letter to Steve Henson

A letter to Arkansas State Hospital Administrator, Steve Henson, regarding the requirements the Arkansas State Hospital must meet to comply with the Social Security Act.

Comments from The Department of Health and Human Services 4

These documents show the findings the Department of Health and Human Services discovered during an inspection of the Arkansas State Hospital. This set of documents shows deficiencies found during an entrance conference conducted on Sept. 17, 2012 and comments from an exit conference conducted on Sept. 21, 2012.

Judge Rhonda Wood's findings on dismissal motion

Circuit Judge Rhonda Wood on Wednesday read this prepared statement of her findings on a dismissal motion filed by the attorney for Faulkner County Administrator Jeff Johnston.

Draft proposal between UCA, Oxford American

A draft proposal agreement (including some edits) between the University of Central Arkansas and the Oxford American magazine.

Affidavit for Warrant of Arrest - Jack Gillean

Affidavit for Warrant of Arrest for Jack Gillean, former chief of staff for UCA.

UCA athletics budget

UCA fiscal year 2013 budget and expenditures

Human Rights Watch report on Gaza

Human Rights Watch released this report Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2012, titled "Abusive System: Failures of Criminal Justice in Gaza."

School flu clinics

A listing of schools across Arkansas hosting flu clinics for 2012.

Campaign contribution and expenditure report form for state and district candidates

This is the campaign contribution and spending report that state and district candidates must file with the secretary of state's office.

Gun investigation report

The 21st Judicial Drug Task Force of Faulkner County contacted the Little Rock ATF office to obtain information and the location of several guns in their possession.

Proclamation: Flags fly at half-staff Sept. 28, 2012

Gov. Mike Beebe declared that flags should be flown half-staff in Arkansas on Sept. 28, 2012, in honor of the late Sgt. Jason Swindle.

Supreme Court ruling on 'pot' measure ballot challenge

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday denied a challenge to the medical marijuana measure, allowing it to appear on the November ballot.

Ark. Tech Review and Memorandum

Arkansas Tech University finally approved more than $800,000 to renovate the students' acting theater, but waited about five months after an outside higher-education report said the the theater was needed.

UCA Coaches' Personnel Action Forms

The University of Central Arkansas gave thousands of dollars in performance bonuses to coaches in football, women's basketball and volleyball during the past academic year, a time when faculty members did not get raises.

Shumate & Reed vs. City of Conway

A firefighter and a police officer have sued the city of Conway over how it’s spending its sales tax money.

ASU emails regarding Kadir Nagac

Emails regarding ASU's Turkish professor Kadir Nagac pursuit of a green card.

Torrence Turner plea agreement

Torrence Turner's plea agreement with the Delta Blues case.

Roxanne Davis arrest news release

The Department of Justice arrested an Roxanne Davis, an Arkansas Department of Community Corrections parole/probation officer, on Monday in connection to an east Arkansas drug ring investigation.

Torrence Davis plea agreement

The Department of Justice arrested an Roxanne Davis, an Arkansas Department of Community Corrections parole/probation officer, on Monday in connection to an east Arkansas drug ring investigation.

Roxanne Davis complaint

The Department of Justice arrested an Roxanne Davis, an Arkansas Department of Community Corrections parole/probation officer, on Monday in connection to an east Arkansas drug ring investigation.

Opinion on Oxford House group home

City attorney Tom Carpenter says the city is "quite limited" in restricting a group home from locating in a residential neighborhood.

Anthony Hall plea agreement

Anthony Hall's plea agreement on the Delta Blues case.

Letter agreement of police weapons, ammunition

A letter agreement regarding Faulkner County Road police weapons and ammunition from Faulkner County Judge Preston Scroggin to Damascus Police Department Chief Randy Spencer.

Letters of Suspension, Reinstatement

Letters of suspension and reinstatement regarding Jason Bell, former employee of Faulkner County.

Notice of Employee Termination

This letter, effective Sept. 17, will enforce Jason Bell's termination from Faulkner County.

Hopson vs. Beebe lawsuit

Former Pulaski County Special Superintendent Charles Hopson’s lawsuit against the state.

Jonesboro methamphetamine indictment

Statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office involving 30 indictments in a methamphetamine conspiracy.

Jonesboro methamphetamine indictment documents

Statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office involving 30 indictments in a methamphetamine conspiracy.

Hudson Hallum resignation letter

Rep. Hudson Hallum on Wednesday submitted his formal letter of resignation.

Census report on 2011 poverty

The U.S. Census Bureau announced Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2012, that in 2011, median household income declined, the poverty rate was not statistically different from the previous year and the percentage of people without health insurance coverage decreased.

North Little Rock School District Zones

The election zones for the North Little Rock School District.

Josh Hastings arrest and news release

Josh Hastings arrest reports and "News Release: Josh Hastings charged."

ASU football facility RFPs

ASU football facility RFPs

ASU football facility contract and design

ASU football facility contract and design

Household Food Security in the United States in 2011

Household Food Security in the United States in 2011 annual report, released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in September 2012.

Hudson Hallum election fraud release

Federal release on the election fraud case of State Representative Hudson Hallum.

Pulaski County Special School District free and reduced-price lunch policy

The Pulaski County Special School District released its policy on eligibility for free and reduced-price school lunches Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012.

Hudson Hallum election fraud affidavit

Affidavit in the case involving State Representative Hudson Hallum.

Carl Redus case

Documents in the case involving Pine Bluff mayor Carl Redus.

Officer Joshua Hastings divisional investigation documents

These documents show the extensive complaints and disciplinary actions that were taken on Officer Joshua Hastings, who shot and killed a 15-year-old during a car break in call at an apartment complex.

Dennis Milligan's letter

Saline County Circuit Clerk Dennis Milligan asks the court for the right to not accept money for conducting foreclosure sales on behalf of the county.

Oxford American - Recommendations of UCA Writing Department

The UCA board of trustees will discuss the fate of The Oxford American's ties to the university during a board meeting Friday. This is a memo prepared by a dean and writing department on things they would like the magazine to do if it stays at UCA.

UCA-Aramark contract renewal offer

Aramark offers a contract renewal to the University of Central Arkansas, tied with a $700,000 grant to aid in renovating the President's home.

UAMS, St. Vincent announce 'potential affiliation'

The university of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and St. Vincent Health System jointly announced that the two parties are discussing a "potential affiliation."

Petition by 2 rejected for LR ballot

Pulaski County Circuit Court ptition by Kaitlin Lott and Adam Lansky, both members of the Occupy Little Rock movement who each fell just a few signatures short of the required 50 signatures from qualified registered voters on petitions for at-large city director seats.

School meals eligibility manual

Eligibility for school meals: Federal and state policy for determining and verifying eligibility. August 2012.

Certified Candidates List

Certified list of 2012 candidates

Jeff Johnston affidavit

Faulkner County prosecutor files charge against the county administrator for felony theft of property.

Memorandum on Chavis Carter case

Memo from the Arkansas State Crime Lab on the case involving the death of Chavis Carter.

News release on Chavis Carter case

Press release from the Jonesboro Police Department regarding the death of Chavis Carter.

Chavis Carter autopsy report

The official autopsy report for Chavis Carter.

Car-Mart first fiscal quarter report

America's Car-Mart reports 6.4 percent increase in fully diluted earnings per share on revenue increase of 9.4 percent to $110 Million, 2.3 percent of outstanding shares repurchased during quarter.

Wal-Mart earnings report, Q2 2013

Wal-Mart on Thursday released its second quarter results for the 2013 fiscal year.

Wal-Mart second quarter earnings call transcript

Wal-Mart recorded earnings call for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

ASP report on Brinkley police chief

Report from the Arkansas State Police on Brinkley Police Chief Michael Edwards.

Kevin Jones lawsuit in Nona Dirksmeyer case

Defendants in the lawsuit filed by Kevin Jones who was acquitted of a murder charge in the death of his girlfriend, Nona Dirksmeyer, deny there was any "conspiracy" with Gary Dunn, a second man charged in her death. Charges against Dunn eventually were dismissed after two mistrials due to hung juries.

Oxford American Title IX Review

The final report of the Oxford American sexual harassment investigation.

Report on Herb Rule's arrest

Fayetteville Police Department report on the Aug. 9 arrest of Herb Rule.

Butterball lawsuit ruling

Plaintiffs and Butterball, LLC, reach a settlement in an April 2008 lawsuit.

Butterball lawsuit

Sheila Helmert, Wilma Brown, Lori West, Roxie Garner, Roy Garner, Miguel Anguiano Araujo, Christopher Smith, John Snarr and Jason Foster VS. Butterball, LLC. "Plaintiffs allege that Butterball failed to sufficiently compensate production employees for their time spent engaged in donning, doffing, walking, sanitizing and other activities before and after their production shifts and during unpaid breaks."

Windstream second quarter results

Windstream on Thursday announced its second-quarter results.

School Choice: Plaintiffs appeal Dawson's ruling

Plaintiff's appeal of U.S. District Judge Robert Dawson's June ruling that struck down the Arkansas Public School Choice Act of 1989.

Dean Lee's contract with ASU

Former athletic director Dean Lee's contract with Arkansas State University.

Assesment of Arkansas State Veterans Home

Facility conditional assessment of Arkansas State Veterans Home.

Bryce Allen arrest report

Jacksonville Police Department report on the arrest of Bryce Allen.

Michael Stanley homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the death of Michael Stanley.

Terry London homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the death of Terry London.

Charles Gaskins homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the shooting death of Charles Gaskins.

Alexis Esaw Khabeer homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the death of Alexis Esaw Khabeer.

Bobby and Annette Whitlow homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the deaths of Bobby and Annette Whitlow.

Exemplary Schools Listing

Superintendents and principals of schools that have been identified as priority and focus schools under the state’s new school accountability plan get their marching orders from the Arkansas Department of Education. Commissioner Tom Kimbrell has said that the department “will be in their business” as the schools — either the lowest achieving in the state or have the biggest achievement disparity gaps — develop improvement plans, hire outside education improvement consultants, etc.

Denney termination letter and appeal

Arkansas State Police issue a termination letter dated July 27, 2012, to former officer Cpl. Royce Denney. Denney filed an appeal to the termination Thursday.

FEC warns Jeffress

The Federal Election Commission warns 4th district congressional candidate Gene Jeffress to electronically file his July quarterly financial report or he could face legal consequences.

Judge's orders for Phillips County (Page 1)

The office of the Phillips County Sheriff's Department will now have new steps to follow when filing warrants on defendants in the Circuit Court of Phillips County, Ark.

Judge's orders for Phillips County (Page 2)

The office of the Phillips County Sheriff's Department will now have new steps to follow when filing warrants on defendants in the Circuit Court of Phillips County, Ark.

Letter from Mayors Stodola, Hays

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola and North Little Rock Mayor Patrick Hays write a letter to the director of the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department, Scott Bennett. The letter indicates that the mayors do not want to turn the Broadway Bridge into a pedestrian bridge, but would rather spend the money to rehabilitate it for its current function.

Ron Teague v. Arkansas Board of Education

These two court documents were filed Monday with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals at St. Louis in the Arkansas school choice case.

Ron Teague v. Arkansas Board of Education 2

These two court documents were filed Monday with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals at St. Louis in the Arkansas school choice case.

Big Rock interchange frequently asked questions

The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department has released a list of frequently asked questions and responses on the Big Rock interchange project at I-430 and I-630.

Herman Hill and Alexis Crawford homicide report

Pulaski County Sheriff's Office homicide report in the deaths of Herman Hill and Alexis Crawford.

Francisco Juanez homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the July 14 killing of Francisco Juanez.

Darrell Winfrey homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the stabbing death of 44-year-old Darrell Winfrey.

John Jacob Mosley homicide report

Pulaski County Sheriff's Office report in the shooting death of John Jacob Mosley.

Andre Thompson homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the killing of Andre Thompson.

William Blundell homicide report

Arrest report in the homicide of William Blundell.

Arbuckle Opinion

This 1920 opinion from Attorney General John Arbuckle found that while the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution gave women the right to vote, women could still not hold elected office under Arkansas law. Voters amended the Arkansas Constitution in 1924.

Lawsuit against city of Helena-West Helena

Three plaintiffs file suit against the city of Helena-West Helena claiming county clerks unlawfully filed documents that changed the candidate filing date.

Judge ruling in HWH lawsuit

Circuit Judge Richard Proctor rules in a recent HWH lawsuit, which claimed that documents concerning the candidate filing date were unlawfully filed.

Bettye Wright vs. Board of Education

Former Dollarway School District superintendent Bettye Wright files suit against the Arkansas Board of Education.

Garland County criminal mischief report

An incident report lists a Pulaski County Sheriff's Office lieutenant as a suspect in a criminal mischief case.

Medical marijuana proposal

Backers of proposal to authorize use of marijuana for medical reasons in Arkansas turned in their signatures Thursday, July 5, 2012.

Priority schools needing improvement

Superintendents and principals of schools that have been identified as priority and focus schools under the state’s new school accountability plan get their marching orders from the Arkansas Department of Education. Commissioner Tom Kimbrell has said that the department “will be in their business” as the schools — either the lowest achieving in the state or have the biggest achievement disparity gaps — develop improvement plans, hire outside education improvement consultants, etc.

New orders for Ken Aden

The U.S. Army issued an order Tuesday revoking 3rd Congressional District candidate Ken Aden's status as a "Special Forces Weapons Sergeant." Aden has repeatedly claimed to be a Green Beret, but Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C. confirmed that he washed out of training and the document he has claimed proves his Green Beret background was issued in error.

Focus schools needing improvement

Superintendents and principals of schools that have been identified as priority and focus schools under the state’s new school accountability plan get their marching orders from the Arkansas Department of Education. Commissioner Tom Kimbrell has said that the department “will be in their business” as the schools — either the lowest achieving in the state or have the biggest achievement disparity gaps — develop improvement plans, hire outside education improvement consultants, etc.

Tom Courtway statement regarding Jack Gillean

UCA President Tom Courtway provides a statement regarding the departure of the former chief of staff, Jack Gillean.

Burdick Hall toxicology memo

This is a copy of the cover memo that accompanied a toxicology report of UCA's Burdick Hall.

Burdick Hall preliminary report

This is a preliminary laboratory analysis of the trace chemicals found in Burdick Hall at UCA.

U.S. Supreme Court ruling on health care reform

The United States Supreme Court ruling on healthcare reform.

Ken Aden's provisional orders

This is a copy of the provisional orders for congressional candidate Ken Aden from when he entered the Army.

Ken Aden's SF academic record

This is a copy of congressional candidate Ken Aden's academic record from the Army special forces qualification course, indicating that he failed the course three times.

Federal judge's ruling for Kevin Jones' lawsuit

A federal judge on Monday cleared the way for Kevin Jones to proceed with a lawsuit alleging wrongdoing by Russellville police during the investigation of the murder of Jones' girlfriend, Nona Dirksmeyer.

Opinion for Hawks' leave

Opinion to the quorum court on attorney Stephen Hawks' resignation

State supreme court majority on death penalty ruling

Documents for the majority on the ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court declaring the latest state law, declaring it's regards to lethal injection unconstitutional.

School Choice: Federal judge grants stay

A federal judge has granted a stay in the School Choice case.

State supreme court dissent on death penalty ruling

Documents for the dissent on the ruling from the Arkansas Supreme Court declaring the latest state law, declaring it's regards to lethal injection unconstitutional.

Pro-bono lawyer for Faulkner Co. resigns

The lawyer who had agreed to help Faulkner County out on a pro-bono basis resigns.

School Choice: Appellants' response to intervenors' motion for limited stay...

Appellants' response to intervenors' motion for limited stay and Magnet Cove defendants' petition to adopt same.

School Choice: Appellants' response to motion for stay

Appellants' response to motion for stay from State of Arkansas

School Choice: Intervenors' brief in support of motion

Intervenors’ brief in support of their motion for a limited stay and in response to plaintiffs' and state board defendants' motions for stay pending appeal.

School Choice: Intervenors' motion for a limited stay

Intervenors' motion for a limited stay

School Choice: Intervenors' response to motion for stay

Intervenors' response to state board defendants' motion for stay

Faulker County Attorney resignation letter

Resignation letter of Faulkner County Attorney Stephan Hawks.

Faulkner County Attorney resigns

Stephan Hawks sent a letter to Judge Preston Scroggin to resign from his position as Faulkner County Attorney.

School Choice: Amended Motion for Stay Pending Appeal

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

School Choice: State Defendants' Motion for Stay

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U,.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

School Choice: Notice of Appeal

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

School Choice: State Defendants' Notice of Cross Appeal

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U,.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

School Choice: Brief in Support of State Defendants' Motion for Stay

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

School Choice: Motion for Stay Pending Appeal

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

School Choice: Brief in Support of Motion for Stay Pending Appeal

Attorneys for the families who challenged the state school choice law have filed an appeal with the 8th Circuit, asking the U.S. District Court for a stay pending the outcome of the higher court’s decision.

Former LR cops indicted

Two former Little Rock police officers were indicted by a federal grand jury on June 6, 2012.

PCSSD's memorandum in support

PCSSD filed a memorandum in support of it's motion of discovery order on June 8, 2012.

PCSSD's motion for discovery order

PCSSD filed a motion for discovery order on June 8, 2012.

Robert Bennett plea agreement

Robert Bennett, aka Ro, filed a plea agreement June 8, 2012.

Lester Martin plea agreement

Lester Martin, aka Vale, files a plea agreement June 8, 2012.

Winston Dean Jackson plea agreement

Former Phillips County officer Winston Dean Jackson files a plea agreement March 16, 2012.

ACIC order to Phillips County sheriff

A circuit judge orders Phillips County Sheriff Ronnie White to immediately begin entering fugitive warrants into state and national crime databases.

School Choice Opinion and Order

Judge strikes down School Choice Act: Memorandum Opinion and Order

School Choice Judgement

Judge strikes down School Choice Act: Judgement

ASP interview with Colton Harvey

Arkansas State Police interview with 15-year-old Colton Harvey on January 15, 2012.

Valley Heights lawsuit

The City of Little Rock has filed suit against the Valley Heights Apartment complex.

VA director fires Pickard

The new director of Veterans Affairs Cissy Rucker fired deputy director Lawrence Pickard Friday.

Judge denies PCSSD motion

Judge D. Price Marshall Jr. denies the state's motion to approve its actions voiding the Pulaski County Special School District unions and their contracts.

NLR schools declared unitary

A federal court declares NLR schools sufficiently desegregated.

State Hospital report

A report from the State Hospital regarding recent rape allegations.

LR officers drug arrest affidavit

Read the affidavit filed in the arrests of Little Rock Police Department Officers Mark Anthony Jones and Randall Tremayn Robinson.

2012 LRSD Scholars

A list of 2012 Little Rock School District academic scholars, including their chosen universities or colleges and the high schools from which they are graduating.

UALR- Chelte timeline

A timeline of events regarding Anthony Chelte as revealed by a recent UALR College of Business audit

UALR-AFC Correspondence

Correspondence between Joel Anderson and Anthony Chelte

UALR-Report on loss

UALR College of Business Report on Loss

UALR-Internal controls report

UALR College of Business Internal Controls Report

Jermain Taylor incident report - 5/18/2012

Media release and incident report relating to a May 18, 2012 incident where a woman made allegations of sexual assault against former Arkansas professional boxing champion Jermain Taylor.

Renewal Ranch lawsuit

Lewis and Sharon Bishop's lawsuit against the members of Renewal Ranch.

Old ASU football contracts

Here are old ASU football contracts.

NCAA outside income forms

Here are the NCAA's outside income forms.

Malzahn's letter of agreement

Here is Malzahn's letter of agreement.

New ASU coaches hiring forms

Here are the new ASU coaches hiring forms.

Little Rock liquor permits

A map of businesses in Little Rock that have liquor permits.

Scott Roussel resignation letter

Longtime UCA trustee Scott Roussel resigned Sunday.

State response to PASS suit

The ADE's response to the PASS suit.

PASS union files suit

Lawsuit filed against the Pulaski County Special School District by Belinda Coney, Belinda Pearl and the Pulaski Association of Support Staff.

Joshua brief in support

Joshua Intervenors brief in opposition of the ADE's motion for its release of the 1989 settlement agreement.

Joshua brief in support

Joshua Intervenors response brief in the ADE.

NLRSD Response

NLRSD's response to state's motion for release from 1989 desegregation settlement.

LRSD brief in support

LRSD brief in support

LRSD motion to dismiss

LRSD motion to dismiss

Brief in support of NLRSD response

Brief in support of NLRSD response

PCSSD Response

PCSSD response to state's motion for release from 1989 desegregation settlement.

Brief in support of PCSSD response

Brief in support of PCSSD response

Officer Jason Davis arrest report

Conway Police Department report on the arrest of Officer Jason Davis

Judge decision to deny murder case dismissal

Judge Charles Clawson on Friday denied a motion to have murder charges filed against Richard Conte dismissed.

UCA Aramark Roussel

Another resolution regarding trustee Scott Roussel and the Aramark investigation

Brownstein letter to Pryor

Brownstein letter to Pryor

John L. Smith's agreement letter

John L. Smith's agreement letter to serve as interim head football coach of the Razorbacks for the 2013 season.

Kimbrell's Letter

Tom Kimbrell's letter which lists conditions for the PCSSD fiscal 2013 budget.

Sedrick Trice 2007 judgment and commitment order

Phillips County judgment and commitment order and subsequent appeal documents for Sedrick Trice.

Sedrick Trice 2008 court of appeals decision

2008 Arkansas Court of Appeals decision in Sedrick Trice case.

Petrino termination letter

Petrino termination letter

Petrino cell phone records Sept. 12 - Oct. 11

Petrino cell phone records Sept. 12 - Oct. 11

Petrino cell phone records Jan. 12 - Feb. 11

Petrino cell phone records Jan. 12 - Feb. 11

Petrino text messages

Petrino text messages

Petrino cell phone records Dec. 12 - Jan. 11

Petrino cell phone records Dec. 12 - Jan. 11

Petrino phone records Oct. 11 - Nov. 11

Petrino's phone records from Oct. 11- Nov. 11

Petrino phone records Nov. 12 - Dec. 11

Petrino phone records Nov. 12 - Dec. 11

Petrino phone records Feb. 12 - March 11

Petrino cell phone records Feb. 12 - March 11

Ark. Lottery Internal Audit

Internal audit of the Arkansas Lottery Commission.

Petrino phone records March 12 - April 5

Bobby Petrino cell phone records

Fred Smith ruling

Pulaski County Circuit order barring former Rep. Fred Smith from running in the May primary.

Pedro Perez homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the shooting death of Pedro Perez.

James Hornes homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in shooting death of James Hornes.

ASP review of Lance King

Capt. Lance King provided a narrative of his involvement with the Bobby Petrino accident to the State Police and Jeff Long. The police reviewed King's actions as narrated per the inquiries of the public.

Arkansas State Police radio log

A radio log from Arkansas State Police the day of Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident.

Bobby Petrino Accident Report

Bobby Petrino's motorcycle accident report from April 1, 2012.

Albert Pike flood lawsuit

Wrongful death lawsuit filed in 2010 Albert Pike flood.

Settlement agreement

Settlement agreement reached Tuesday in lawsuit over legislator expenses.

AHTD response to LR, NLR mayors

A response from the state highway and transportation department regarding the proposal by Mayors Stodola and Hays to build Chester Street Bridge and turn Broadway Bridge into pedestrian bridge.

Joe Thompson arrest report

Joe Thompson

Meadors Email

An email from Allen Meadors

Proposed Aramark Contract

New proposed Aramark contract

Motion for release from settlement

The state's motion for release from the desegregation settlement.

Davis Agreement

Davis agreement for retirement

Brief in support of state

Brief in support of state's motion for release from desegregation settlement.

UAPB chancellor letter

UAPB chancellor letter to campus announcing resignation

Judge Parker Letter

One of two letters sent by Judge Issac Parker announcing the closings of several Arkansas district courts.

UCA Memo

UCA memos covering recent political activity on the campus.

LRPD social media policy

LRPD social media policy

Building a Grad Nation

“Building a Grad Nation,” a report co-authored by Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm, and Johns Hopkins University.

Garland Camper filings

Garland Camper court filings

MSM Press Release

A press release from Mount St. Mary Academy announcing the termination of 2 employees based on a sexual abuse investigation.

Mount St. Mary incident report

Incident report filed in sexual abuse investigation of Mount St. Mary Academy employee.

Theodore Mitchell homicide report

Homicide report in the stabbing death of Theodore Mitchell.

Zeus Diviaio homicide report

Homicide report in the shooting death of 7-year-old Zeus Diviaio.

Mayor Mark Stodola Letter

Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodolla enumerates four options for the expansion of the Arkansas Livestock Association's location on the fairgrounds.

State's Response - 3/12

The State's response to statement of facts.

Charter Motion - 3/12

Motion on behalf of the PCSSD charter schools.

ADE Response

Arkansas Department of Education responds to defendant and plaintiff.

Response to facts - 3/12

Response to material facts

Brief in Support

Brief in support of PCSSD

Blass Building Plans

Plans for a $20 million development to turn a historic building on Main Street into a mixed-use office, retail and residential space.

Fred Smith - Motion and Order of Dismissal

A motion and order for charges on democrat Fred Smith's record to be dismissed.

Lawsuit against Caddo mayor

Lawsuit: State of Arkansas vs. Mayor Alan Jay Dillavou

Caddo lawsuit filing

Proof of Caddo summons served for State of Arkansas vs. Mayor Alan J. Dillavou

UAPB IAR - Supplemental Document D

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

UAPB Internal Audit Report

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

UAPB IAR - Supplemental Document C

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

UAPB IAR - Supplemental Document B

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

UAPB IAR - Supplemental Document A

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

UAPB IAR - Chancellor's Response

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

UAPB Internal Audit Report - Report on Loss

An audit of a special dorm complex at UAPB shows the chancellor's assistant, charged with running the complex, overrode all management controls and oversight for spending there.

Occupy Little Rock Permit

A permit issued to the Occupy Little Rock group by the city of Little Rock.

UCA House proposal

UCA House proposal excerpted from the Board Meeting Agenda.

Beebe possible cuts

Beebe possible cuts

Arkansas budget breakdown

Arkansas budget line item

State agencies miscellaneous funds

State agencies miscellaneous funds

Arkansas Youth Justice report

Arkansas Youth Justice report by the Council on Crime and Delinquency

PEW Voter Registration

PEW Voter Registration

Desegregation Facts Filing - Feb 14

Statement of material facts not in dispute in support of LRSD's and Joshua's motion for summary judgment.

Desegregation Filing - Feb 14

PCSSD desegregation filing on Feb. 14, 2012.

Desegregation Motion Support - Feb. 14

Memorandum brief in support of LRSD's and Joshua' motion for summary judgment.

Abigail Robbins

Paperwork for the Abigail Robbins case

Michelle Obama speaks at LRAFB

The full speech given by Michelle Obama Thursday, Feb. 9, at the Little Rock Air Force Base.

Lottery Director Applications

Redacted applications for seven remaining Arkansas Lottery Commission Director candidates.

Ruling on legal fees in DHS center case

U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes grants in part and denies in part the state’s bid to get the U.S. Department of Justice to reimburse Arkansas more than $4 million of legal expenses it acquired in successfully defending itself in a lawsuit over the operations of a center for developmentally disabled residents.

Garrick Smith homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the homicide of Garrick Smith.

ASU-Jonesboro finalist application materials

Application materials submitted by three finalists for the chancellor position at Arkansas State University-Jonesboro.

County and City Turnback

AHTD County and city turnback

Metroplan report

Metroplan report

Report on fatal LR accident 1/24

Report on fatal LR accident 1/24

Oscar nominations

Full list of 2012 Academy Award nominations

Romney 2010 Tax Return

Romney 2010 Tax Return (55mb)

2011 Remediation Report

Annual report on first-year student remediation in Arkansas for 2011

John David Lindsey bankruptcy schedule

A schedule of John David Lindsey's assets and liabilities.

John David Lindsey bankruptcy filing

John David Lindsey's Feb. 20, 2010 filing for bankruptcy.

Nakia Holmes homicide report

Little Rock Police Department incident report in the shooting death of 28-year-old Nakia Holmes.

LR District of the Army Corps of Engineers proposed cuts

The Little Rock District of the Army Corps of Engineers says it is considering a number of cutbacks at parks it operates to save $1.9 million.

Operation Meilke Way defendants and charges

A full list of charges and defendants for the 22 people indicted in Operation Meilke Way, an investigation that authorities say stopped significant trafficking of methamphetamine in Arkansas.

Allen Meadors UCA contract

Allen Meadors UCA contract

CDC annual cause-of-death report

List of the nation’s top 15 causes of death

George Johnson homicide report

Little Rock Police Department incident report filed in the stabbing death of 48-year-old George Johnson.

Claim in trooper accident

A claimed filed against the State of Arkansas in the death of Vickie Freemyer.

Williams homicide report

LRPD incident report on Jan. 6 shooting death of John Edward Williams, Jr.

Jegley Letter to Maumelle police chief

A letter to Maumelle police chief Sam Williams from the state's prosecuting attorney Larry Jegley regarding the evidence presented in Dexter Williams' death.

Hill homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the shooting death of Daniel Hill.

Bee homicide report

Little Rock Police Department report in the shooting death of Darius Bee.

Helena-West Helena School District financial documents

Documents for the Helena-West Helena School District No. 2. Financial statements and other reports.

Charter Order in the desgregation ruling

Charter order in the desegregation case against the Pulaski County Special School District.

Appeals court ruling in desegregation case, December 2011

Lawsuits involving the Little Rock, Pulaski County and North Little Rock school districts, along with the Arkansas Department of Education. Conducted in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Additional documents in PCSSD lawsuit

Additional documents in lawsuit involving various school districts in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Coaches cited in Clarksville in bizarre incident

Incident report from Dec. 9 involving Hot Springs team after naked players playing a game lead to the coach's being cited for contributing to the delinquency of a minor in Clarksville.

Incident report from Park Plaza Mall shooting

Incident report from the Dec. 27 shooting in the parking garage of the Park Plaza Mall that left two men shot and all three in custody.

Elgin Clemons lawsuit

Lawsuit filed in Utah Federal Court against Little Rock lawyer Elgin Clemons.

Trice plea agreement

Trice plea agreement in Operation Delta Blues

UCA Student Services report

A report from UCA's Division of Student Services, as requested by Tom Courtway.

Gus Malzahn's Letter of Agreement with ASU

The letter of agreement between Arkansas State and new head football coach Gus Malzahn.

Postal Service public meeting

The presentation from Wednesday's meeting about Fayetteville's postal processing facility.

Paul Petrino agreement

Paul Petrino letter of agreement

Auxiliary Transfers to UCA Athletics

FY11 and FY12 Auxiliary Transfers to UCA Athletics

Dimas-Martinez Supreme Court Decision

The Arkansas Supreme Courts Decision to give Erickson Dimas-Martinez a new trial.

Jerry Sandusky second grand jury indictment

The presentment on Jerry Sandusky, who is accused of molesting numerous young boys, on two other counts from two other men.

Health Exchange letter

Jay Bradford says the plans for a state-run Health Exchange are quashed.

Arkansas Education Data

Arkansas Education Data

Boozman/UCA emails

The following set of e-mails are exchanges between the office of Senator John Boozman, the State Department and the University of Central Arkansas in regards to UCA's international program.

IRS Taxpayers

The IRS had the wrong address for several hundred taxpayers in Arkansas.

ASH Action Plan

ASH Action Plan

Department of Labor Cargill news release

A news release about a Department of Labor complaint against Cargill Meat Solutions.

Arkansas-LSU Final Game Book

Arkansas-LSU Final Game Book

October 2011 unemployment report

October 2011 unemployment report

Morrilton Cleanup Contract

Morrilton debris cleanup contract

Arkansas-Mississippi State Final Game Book

Arkansas-MSU final game book.

Behind Closed Doors: Report on Arkansas State Hospital

A November 2011 report on the Arkansas State Hospital titled "Behind Closed Doors: Continuing Systemic Failures at the Arkansas State Hospital."

Cassell's Response to Motion for Show Cause Hearing

Kenny Webster Cassell's Response to Motion for Show Cause Hearing on Oct. 31, 2011.

Grahn-Chen email

Email correspondence between Alex Chen and Lance Grahn.

Ghran receipts

An invoice from UCA reimbursing Grahn for business dinners.

Grahn-Meadors ECNU itinerary (1)

A Tentative Schedule of the UCA delegation’s visit to ECNU.

Meadors ECNU itinerary (2)

Proposed itinerary for Allen Meadors to ECNU.

Grahn reimbursements

UCA travel reimbursements to Lance Grahn.

Arkansas-Tennessee Final Game Book

Arkansas-Tennessee Final Game Book

Chen travel, moving expense documents

Travel and moving expense documents for Alex Chen, a former UCA associate vice president who lost his administrative title after an investigation into complaints surrounding him and the school's international program.

AYP 2011 results

AYP 2011 results

LR school redistricting proposals

LR school redistricting proposals

Wal-Mart RFI for health care

Wal-Mart RFI for health care

Hawker Beechcraft letter to LR employees

Hawker Beechcraft's plans to reduce its workforce will have &quot;little to no impact&quot; on its Little Rock employees, the company said in this letter.

Class 2A state football playoff bracket

Class 2A state football playoff bracket.

Class 7A state football playoff bracket

Class 7A state football playoff bracket

Class 6A state football playoff bracket

Class 6A state football playoff bracket.

Class 5A state football playoff bracket

Class 5A state football playoff bracket.

Class 3A state football playoff bracket

Class 3A state football playoff bracket.

Class 4A state football playoff bracket

Class 4A state football playoff bracket

Arkansas-South Carolina Final Game Book

Arkansas-South Carolina Final Game Book

UCA Chen correspondence

UCA Chen correspondence

Albert Pike Flood Report

USGS Albert Pike Flood Report

The Nation's Report Card - Reading 2011

The reading portion of the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grades 4 and 8.

The Nation's Report Card - Mathemathics 2011

The mathematics portion of the 2011 National Assessment of Educational Progress at Grades 4 and 8.

Petition to remove Searcy Co. sheriff

A petition to remove the Searcy Co. sheriff from office.

Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt Game Book

Arkansas-Vanderbilt Game Book

September housing report

The Arkansas Realtors Association said home sales increased by more than 10 percent in September.

State treasury investments

State treasury investments for the 2010-2011 fiscal year.

Courtway to UCA board 10/14

Courtway to UCA board 10/14

Pembroke Meadors

Pembroke documents

Arkansas vs. Ole Miss Game Book

Arkansas vs. Ole Miss final game book

Jerold Fetzer resume

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery on Friday hired Jerold Fetzer as its new chief fiscal officer.

Operation State Line Sweep indictment

62-page drug trafficking indictment naming 66 individuals from the Texarkana area charged with 190 counts.

Eugene Ellison lawsuit

A federal lawsuit was filed Monday in the death of Eugene Ellison, a 67-year-old man fatally shot by police last year.

Operation Delta Blues indictments

Operation Delta Blues indictments as of Oct. 15, 2011.

Senate resolution on Courtway

Senate resolution on Courtway

Helena-West Helena indictments 2

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

Helena-West Helena indictments 1

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

Helena-West Helena indictments 8

Operation Delta Blues indictments in Helena-West Helena.

Letter to Donahoe

Letter from Pryor and five other senators to the postmaster general

Helena-West Helena indictments 5

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

Helena-West Helena indictments 3

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

Helena-West Helena indictments 6

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

Helena-West Helena indictments 7

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

Robert Rogers and Marlene Kalb indictment

Operation Delta Blues in Helena-West Helena.

West Memphis murders amendment

Order allowing Damien Echols, Jessie Misskelley Jr. and Jason Baldwin to attend the premiere of a film about their case.

Courtway appointment resolution

Resolution on the appointment of Tom Courtway to President of the University of Central Arkansas - Oct.11, 2011

Little Rock response on charter school motion

Plaintiff Little Rock School District's response to charter schools’ motion for leave to amend its motion to intervene.

Arkansas-Auburn Final Game Book

Arkansas-Auburn Final Game Book

Deseg reply to Pulaski County and North Little Rock response motion

Reply motion to Pulaski County Special School DIstrict and the North Little Rock School District's response to the Charter School Intervenors' motion to intervene.

UCA Conque emails

UCA emails about pay for Clint Conque

Juvenile incarceration report

Juvenile incarceration report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation

Barden resignation letter

David Barden, vice president of gaming operations for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, resigned effective Sept. 30.

New Ernie Passailaigue resignation letter

Outgoing Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Director Ernie Passailaigue moved his resignation up to Monday in a letter to Arkansas Lottery Commission Chairman Diane Lamberth.

Letter to Lottery Commission

Craig Douglass of Craig Douglass Communications writes a letter to the Arkansas Lottery Commission about "re-founding" the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Also attached is a letter from Walter Skelton to Ernie Passailaigue.

Act 168

"An act concerning the inspection and copying of public records by individuals incarcerated in a correctional facility; and for other purposes."

9/29 Race lawsuit documents

The Little Rock filing and state response on the Texarkana teacher's lawsuit that ruled she was unjustly fired because of her race.

Broadway Bridge proposals

Broadway Bridge proposals

2011 Employer Health Benefits Survey

The 2011 annual survey of Employer Health Benefits by Kaiser Family Foundation and Health Research & Educational Trust.

Hardin Sentencing

Former UCA president Lu Hardin's Sept. 26 court sentencing.

UCA group letters on Aramark probe

UCA's faculty senate, staff sentate and student senate all wrote letters about the internal audit into the Aramark "gift."

Passailaigue resignation letter

Ernie Passailaigue resignation letter

Arkansas-Troy Final Game Book

Arkansas-Troy Final Game Book - Sept.17, 2011

Hardin sentencing motion

The 2011 sentencing motion for former UCA president Lu Hardin.

Hopson suit files

District files to have Hopson suit dismissed

UCA Faculty Senate resolutions

UCA Faculty Senate resolutions

Unofficial LR sales tax election results

Unofficial election results show a new Little Rock sales tax passing by about a 54 to 46 percent margin.

AG opinion on higher ed director

AG opinion on higher ed director

UCA Audit policy

UCA Audit policy

Arkansas-New Mexico Final Game Book

Final game stats for the Arkansas-New Mexico game at War Memorial Stadium Sept. 10, 2011.

Broadway letter to Beebe

Shane Broadway withdraws his name from consideration for director of the Higher Education department.

LR crime stats

LR crime stats

UCA-Aramark

UCA-Aramark: Meadors memo and supporting material from Newton

Sept. 7 filings in desegregation case

Sept. 7 filings in desegregation case

Maumelle incident report 4587

Maumelle incident report 4587

Arkansas Employee Growth

Historical Comparison of Total State Employees Annually for June 2010 vs. June 2011

Desegregation case brief

Desegregation case brief

Arkansas revenue report for August

Arkansas revenue report for August

Commission on Wartime Contracting final report

Commission on Wartime Contracting final report on spending in Iraq and Afghanistan

HSU-Aramark

Henderson and Arakmark relationship

July housing report

July housing report from the Arkansas Realtors Association

UCA-Aramark contracts

UCA-Aramark contracts

Yarnell's bankruptcy filing

Yarnell's bankruptcy filing

2010 Census Data - Ages

2010 Census analysis of age demographics in the United States.

West Memphis case plea agreements

Alford plea agreements for Charles Jason Baldwin, Damian Wayne Echols, and Jessie Lloyd Misskelley, Jr., filed on Friday, Aug. 19, 2011, from the West Memphis murder case.

UCA concrete work travel expense reimbursement form

A travel expense reimbursement form related to concrete work on sidewalks at UCA.

Invoice to UCA from Souther Star Concrete

An invoice sent to UCA from Southern Star Concrete for costs associate with more work being done on sidewalks at UCA.

Conway citizen taskforce

Conway citizen taskforce

West Memphis Aug. 18 order

West Memphis Aug. 18 order

Martin FOIA letter

Martin FOIA letter

Kids Count Data Book 2011

Kids Count Data Book 2011

ACT results

ACT results

Trumann police officer shooting fiings

Trumann police officer shooting fiings

Joshua Intervenors reply exhibit

Joshua Intervenors reply to PCSSD and North Little Rock School District response in desegregation case.

Joshua Intervenors desegregation memorandum

Joshua Intervenors memorandum in support filed in desegregation case.

Deseg document filed Aug. 15

Order filed in Little Rock School District desegregation lawsuit pertaining to subjects from Majority-to-Minority Funding to the pending appeal.

Deere-Mt. Judea School District brief

Deer/Mt. Judea files a brief with state Supreme Court, appealing a lower court's dismissal of a case in which the school district claimed the state's funding was unconstitutional because it does not adequately cover the transportation needs of isolated and rural school districts.

Water rate proposals

Central Arkansas Water rate increase proposals

Lottery IRS documents

Lottery IRS documents

Generic drugs

Generic drug list

End-of-Course exams

End-of-Course exams

Public Safety Improvement Act

Act 570 was passed by the 88th General Assembly to improve public safety and slow statewide prison population growth.

Sales tax holiday list of items

A list of the wide variety of items classified as back-to-school items for Arkansas' first-ever sales tax holiday.

Supreme Court Opinion on Drug Policy

The state Supreme Court changed its policy Wednesday to bar the recording and broadcasting of drug-court proceedings. This is the Supreme Court Opinion.

Audit of ASU-Mountain Home

Audit of ASU-Mountain Home

PCSSD deseg documents filed in St. Louis - July 26

Documents filed by the Pulaski County Special School District on July 26 in St. Louis regarding the ruling on the desegregation case.

North Little Rock deseg documents filed in St. Louis - July 26

Documents filed for the North Little Rock School District's case involving desegregation. Filed in St. Louis on July 26.

June 2011 housing report

The Arkansas Realtors Association on Tuesday released its housing report covering June 2011 sales.

GOP lawmakers letter on Broadway

GOP lawmakers letter on Broadway

Pryor letter on post offices

Pryor letter on post offices

Echols DNA report

Echols DNA report

LR School District deseg filing

LR School District deseg filing

Complaint in McGehee School District lawsuit

Complaint filed in lawsuit of Kymberly L. Wimberly v. McGehee School District.

Remediation report

Nearly a fourth of Arkansas college students who had to take remedial courses in the 2010 fall term had a GPA of 3.0 or higher in high school, according to new data from the Arkansas Department of Higher Education.

Municipal League legal advice on prayer

Municipal League legal advice on prayer at city meetings

Freedom from Religion Foundation letter

Letter to Conway mayor on the use of prayer to open City Council meetings

State motion to pay legal fees in center case

The state wants the U.S. Department of Justice to reimburse more than $4 million of legal expenses it acquired in successfully defending itself in a lawsuit over the operations of a center for developmentally disabled residents.

2011 fiscal summary

2011 fiscal summary

New 2011 laws

Summary of general legislation for 2011

Joshua Intervenor's memorandum in support of their Rule 62.1 motion

Motions filed by the Joshua Intervenors in the Pulaski County school desegregation case to the U.S. District Court challenging the North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts' efforts to become unitary.

Joshua Intervenor's memorandum in support of motion

Joshua Intervenor's memorandum in support of motion

Joshua Intervenors' memorandum - July 22

Joshua Intervenors' memorandum - July 22

Joshua Intervenor's Motion Persuant to Rules 52 (b) and 59 (e) - July 22

Joshua Intervenor's Motion Persuant to Rules 52 (b) and 59 (e) - July 22

Joshua Intervenors' motion filed July 22

Joshua Intervenors' motion filed July 22, 2010

Joshua Intervenor's memorandum in support of motion - July 22

Joshua Intervenor's memorandum in support of motion

Joshua Intervenor's motion persuant to rule 62.1 - July 22

Motions filed by the Joshua Intervenors in the Pulaski County school desegregation case to the U.S. District Court, challenging the North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts' efforts to become unitary.

Broadway Bridge stakeholders meeting

Possible features of the bridge, access from the bridge to surrounding facilities, such as Dickey-Stephens Baseball Park, the aesthetics of the bridge design and maintenance of traffic issues during construction.

Pryor letter on judges

Pryor letter on judge recommendations

2011 Benchmark Race/Ethnicity Comparison

The Arkansas Department of Education released results from all schools in the state on the 2011 Augmented Benchmark Exams. 2011 Benchmark Race/Ethnicity Comparison.

2005-2011_Benchmark_Comparison

The Arkansas Department of Education released results from all schools in the state on the 2011 Augmented Benchmark Exams. 2005-2011_Benchmark_Comparison.

Benchmark Exams: All Districts and Schools by Grade

The Arkansas Department of Education released results from all schools in the state on the 2011 Augmented Benchmark Exams. All Districts and Schools by Grade.

UCA House - Rough drafts

The first rough-drafts of architectural drawings sent to UCA by the Cromwell Firm.

Rhew ASP file

The Arkansas State Police Commission holds a hearing on a trooper who was fired after he was involved in a fatal accident in 2009 while responding to a call in Osceola. Rhew pleaded no contest to a negotiated misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide in April. Rhew was originally charged with manslaughter, a felony.

Audit of highway department

Audit of highway department

2011 Emmys list

Complete 2011 Emmys nomination list

Desegregation case - Judge Marshall agrees not to recuse

Pulaski County Special School District Desegregation case - Judge Marshall's agreement not to recuse

Letter from ADE to Charles Hopson

Sept. 8 letter from the Arkansas Department of Education to Charles Hopson

Investigative Report Update #1

Investigative Report Update #1 - Legislative Joint Auditing Committee

Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

Letter from ADE to Charles Hopson

March 30, 2011 letter from the Arkansas Department of Education to Dr. Charles Hopson. Notification that the Pulaski County Special School District was in Fiscal Distress.

Investigative Report Update #2

Investigative Report Update #2, from the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee

Letter from Dept. of Education to PCSSD

June 20, 2011 letter from the Department of Education to the Pulaski County Special School District Board Members

PCSSD response to recusal order

Pulaski County Special School District's response to recusal order in desegregation case

PCSSD Financial Statements for June 30, 2009

Pulaski County Special School regulatory basis financial statements and supplementary information

PCSSD Financial Statements with report of accountants for June 30, 2008

Pulaski County Special School District Regulatory Basis Financial Statements and Supplementary Information for the year ended June 30, 2008 with Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants

May 14 Investigative Report

May 14 Investigative Report from the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee - Review of Selected Transactions

June 19 2011 Letter from David Newbern to Dustin McDaniel

June 19, 2011 Letter from David Newbern to Attorney General Dustin McDaniel in response to request for assistance.

LRSD v. PCSSD, Reply to Responses to Motion for Order

Little Rock Special School District vs. Pulaski County Special School District Reply to Responses to Motion for Order

PCSSD Recusal Comments - Jacksonville

Pulaski County Special School District Desegregation Case - Recusal Comments from Jacksonville

Intervenors' response to recusal order - PCSSD desegretation case

Joshua Intervenors' response to recusal order in the Pulaski County Special School District desegregation case

Desegregation case - State's response to recusal order

The state's response to the court's request for briefs on the possible recusal.

NLRSD's response to recusal in desegregation case

North Little Rock School District's response to request for position state on possible recusal in the PCSSD desegregation case.

Letter from college and university leaders supporting Shane Broadway

Leaders of the state's colleges and universities signed a letter and unanimously approved a resolution supporting Shane Broadway as Director of the Higher Education Department.

LRSD's brief on recusal issues in desegregation case

Little Rock School District's brief on recusal issues in desegregation case

June 10 Letter from ADE to Charles Hopson

June 10, 2011 Letter to Dr. Charles Hopson from the Arkansas Department of Education regarding the Pulaski County Special School District Audit.

2010 F as in Fat report

Obesity 2010 report

Fiscal 2011 Arkansas revenue report

Fiscal 2011 Arkansas revenue report

FERC judgment on MISO-SPP agreement

FERC judgment on MISO-SPP agreement

Suit against Arkansas State Hospital

A suit filed on behalf of Jonathan Duncan against the Arkansas State Hospital

DHS reports on Arkansas State Hospital

US Department of Human Services reports on Arkansas State Hospital

PCSSD memo June 30

Memo in support of PCSSD response to motion for order

Joshua Intervenors brief

Joshua opposes the takeover of the PCSSD and requests an evidentiary hearing regarding the propriety of the State’s action.

Helena employee letter

Helena employee letter

Yarnell's release

Yarnell's release on ceasing operations

State response to transfers

State response to transfers

Joshua Intervenors June 28 letter

Walker on Tuesday sent to U.S. District Judge D. Price Marshall Jr.,a legal brief arguing against the state’s plan to permit the appeal to carry on.

Ross letter on post offices

Ross letter on post offices

Jacksonville amicus brief

Jacksonville amicus curiae brief seeking new school district.

July 1 laws

Arkansas laws that will go into effect July 1, 2011

ATEP projects

ATEP projects for 2011

Dermott theft affidavit

Dermott theft affidavit for Barbara 'Kay' Brown

Proposed zone for injection well ban

The state regulators' proposed zone for a permanent ban on injection wells

Muhammad June 17 letter

Muhammad June 17 lette

Letter to U.S. Attorney on Osceola shooting

Scott Ellington, prosecuting attorney for the Second Judicial District of Arkansas, on Wednesday issued this letter ruling a fatal shooting of a suspect earlier this year justified.

Pulaski County school desegregation stay

The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay Tuesday pending appeal in the Pulaski County school desegregation case

North Little Rock School District's brief in response to show cause order

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

PCCSD Audit Part 1

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Wal-mart ruling

The Supreme Court ruled for Wal-Mart in its fight to block a sex discrimination lawsuit on behalf of women who work there.

Letter from Tom Kimbrell to Willie Williams

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Letter from Tom Kimbrell to Vandell Bland

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Elliot-PCSSD Lawsuit

An assistant superintendent sues the Pulaski County Special School District and former Superintendent Charles Hopson.

PCSSD dissolved - School District's brief

The superintendent of the Pulaski County Special School District has been removed and the board dissolved amid ongoing financial problems revealed in state audits.

Joshua Intervenors' response to show cause

The first desegregation payment: The state plans to pay out only the small portion of M-to-M funds since no stay has been granted. This is Joshua Intervenors' response to the court's order to show cause why the State of Arkansas should not be ordered to stop funding for M-to-M transfers.

Districts in fiscal distress

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Helena-West Helena School District audit

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

PCCSD Audit Part 2

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

PCSSD dissolved - State's brief

The superintendent of the Pulaski County Special School District has been removed and the board dissolved amid ongoing financial problems revealed in state audits.

PCCSD Audit Part 3

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Little Rock School District's brief in response to show cause order

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Statement from John W. Walker

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Act 1467

The Arkansas Department of Education took control of the Pulaski County Special and Helena-West Helena school districts Monday, June 20, 2011, ousting their superintendents and dissolving their boards.

Wal-mart ruling

The Supreme Court ruled for Wal-Mart in its fight to block a sex discrimination lawsuit on behalf of women who work there.

PCSSD dissolved - Motion for Order

The superintendent of the Pulaski County Special School District has been removed and the board dissolved amid ongoing financial problems revealed in state audits.

Desegregation: 8th circuit filing by LRSD Part 2

Desegregation: 8th circuit filing by LRSD Part 1

Desegregation: 8th circuit filing by LRSD Part 1

Desegregation: 8th circuit filing by LRSD Part 1

Desegregation: 8th circuit filing response by state

Desegregation: 8th circuit filing response by state

PCSSD response to motion for stay

Attorneys in the Pulaski County school desegregation case and state file arguments with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals about an emergency stay in cutting off state payments to the school districts. The districts, teachers and Joshua intervenors support the stay. The state is against the emergency stay. This is the PCSSD response.

Desegregation state response

Attorneys in the Pulaski County school desegregation case and state file arguments with the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals about an emergency stay in cutting off state payments to the school districts. The districts, teachers and Joshua intervenors support the stay. The state is against the emergency stay. This is the state's response.

Mark Pryor disclosure

Mark Pryor disclosure

John Boozman disclosure

John Boozman disclosure

Sandra Sawyer letter

Sandra Sawyer resigns from the Pulaski County Special School Board

Little Rock School District Employee Contracts

Little Rock School District Employee Contracts

Big Winner indictment

Big Winner indictment

Accreditation status report for schools

One in every five Arkansas schools and one in every six of its districts violated the state’s accreditation standards in the 2010-11 school year. The State Board of Education approved a status report Monday, citing 185 schools and putting 23 on probation.

McCrillis report

McCrillis report on the events of Dec. 9

Jegley Ellison filing

Jegley Ellison filing

Desegregation order denying stay pending appeal

A federal judge has decided not to stay pending appeal an order he made ending most desegregation funding for the Little Rock, Pulaski County Special and North Little Rock school districts.

LRSD Emergency motion for stay

Little Rock School District's emergency motion for a stay pending appeal on Judge Brian Miller's ruling.

Holmes ruling in Conway HDC case

A federal judge in Little Rock has thrown out a lawsuit by the Justice Department that sought to close the Conway Human Development Center. This one-page order was accompanied by an 85-page finding by U.S. District Judge J. Leon Holmes.

Letter from Dept. of Education

A federal judge in Little Rock has thrown out a lawsuit by the Justice Department that sought to close the Conway Human Development Center. This is a letter from the Arkansas Department of Education Special Education Unit noting that the CHDC has corrected all deficiencies.

Conway Human Development Center ruling

A federal judge in Little Rock has thrown out a lawsuit by the Justice Department that sought to close the Conway Human Development Center. This 85-page finding accompanied a one-page order by U.S. District Judge J. Leon Holmes.

Joshua Intervenor's memorandum in support of motion for stay

Joshua Intervenors' memorandum in support of the Little Rock School District's motion for stay in the desegregation case.

PCSSD response to Knight intervenor's motion for leave

Pulaski County Special School District's response to Knight intervenor's motion for leave in the desegregation case.

PCSSD response to motion for stay

Pulaski County Special School District response to motion for stay in desegregation case.

Desegregation response motion

Response to motion for stay pending appeal in desegregation case.

Lesher report

Officer Donna Lesher's report on the events of Dec. 9, 2010

McCrillis statement

Det. Tabitha McCrillis' statement on the events of December 9, 2010

Lesher statement

Officer Donna Lesher's statement on events of December 9, 2010

Gwen Wiliams suit

Gwen WIlliams files suit over scheme to discredit her.

Delegation on FEMA aid

Delegation on FEMA aid

UCA Moody's rating

UCA Moody's rating

Curtis Vance opinion

Arkansas Supreme Court opinion upholding Curtis Vance conviction.

Vance conviction upheld

Arkansas Supreme Court upholds conviction of Curtis Vance

Muhammad June 1 letter

Muhammad June 1 letter

LR desegregation brief

LR desegregation brief

Deere-Mt. Judea School District suit

Lawsuit by the Deere-Mt. Judea School District against the state and the Melbourne School District over state funding

Arkansas-Alabama SECT

Arkansas-Alabama Statsheet

AG response in deseg case

AG response to emergency motion for stay pending appeal

Arkansas-MSU SEC Tournament

Arkansas-Mississippi State stats

Missing people in Joplin

More than 230 people are still unaccounted for after the Joplin tornado.

LR School District seeks emergency stay

A motion the Little Rock School District filed with the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals today seeking an emergency stay of the U.S. District Judge Brian Miller's order stopping some desegregation payments

Harrelson report

Harrelson report

Plot against Williams in LR

Case summary of plot against School Board member Gwen Williams

UA Academic Progress Report 2011

UA Academic Progress Report 2011

Signing Day Students

LR Signing Day Students

LRSD filings in deseg case

LRSD filings in deseg case

Bobby Petrino employment agreement

Bobby Petrino employment agreement

Incident report for Biviano

Incident report for Biviano

Miller ruling on unitary status

Miller ruling on unitary status

May 2011 Finance Committee Packet

May 2011 Finance Committee Packet

Mann restitution order

Mann restitution order

Joe White letter

Joe White resigns from the lottery commission

LR response to elephant issue

LR response to elephant issue

Muhammad letter

Muhammad letter

AG response to Rep. Clemmer

AG opinion regarding Benton official pay raise

Drafts of proposed district maps

The following are drafts of proposed legislative district maps from the office of Board of Apportionment Director Joe Woodson. The maps are: May 5 House version; May 5 Senate version, May 4 Senate version, May 3 Senate version, May 2 Senate version and May 1 Senate version.

Proposed Zone Changes — Jacksonville Elementary

The following charts compare the makeup of Jacksonville Elementary School to other schools in the area.

Motion for construction, reconstruction, consolidation

Letter and motion for construction, reconstruction, school consolidation and school replacement.

Brief in support of motion

The following is a brief in support of Pulaski County Special School District's motion for court approval of construction, reconstruction, school consolidation and school replacement.

Memo on state compensation packages

The following memo puts forth guidelines for state compensation packages.

Letter about school facilities

This letter from Mitchell Williams discusses facility conditions at various Arkansas elementary schools.

Federal properties in Arkansas for sale

Federal properties in Arkansas for sale

Lawmakers' letter supporting federal disaster declaration

Supporting Gov. Mike Beebe's request for a major disaster declaration for Arkansas, U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor and John Boozman, along with Congressmen Rick Crawford, Tim Griffin, Steve Womack and Mike Ross urged President Obama and FEMA to act on Beebe's request.

Norquist letters

The following is correspondence from Grover Norquist of the Americans for Tax Reform to legislators regarding bills that would raise taxes.

Jaclyn Derreberry affidavit

Probable cause affidavit filed against Jaclyn Derreberry.

David Derreberry affidavit

Probable cause affidavit against David Derreberry.

New high school classifications

The Arkansas High School Activities Association released the new reclassifications for 2012-2014

State Hospital complaint recertification letter

The government-funded Disability Rights Center of Arkansas has filed a complaint about the State Hospital in the aftermath of a critical report on the treatment of children that site reviewers identified as threatening to the life and health of patients. The Center wants the hospital closed. A letter from Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services dated April 22 says the hospital will lose its Medicare funding June 2.

Complaint against the State Hospital

The government-funded Disability Rights Center of Arkansas has filed a complaint about the State Hospital in the aftermath of a critical report on the treatment of children that site reviewers identified as threatening to the life and health of patients. The Center wants the hospital closed.

Response to storm fatalities on April 15

Little Rock Fire Department report on its internal investigation into why a fire crew responding to a gas leak on Cynthia Drive following a tornado on April 15 did not check a house where a mother and her son had been killed by a falling tree.

Obama Birth Certificate Long Form

The White House has released the long form of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate in response to questions about whether he was really born in the U.S.

Obama Birth Certificate Correspondence

The White House released the long form of President Barack Obama’s birth certificate Wednesday in response to questions about whether he was really born in the U.S. Here is the correspondence requesting the birth certificate from the Hawaii Department of Health.

Holland hearing transcript

The following is a transcript of a hearing in the case of Anne Pressly's medical records being accessed by Dr. Jay Holland.

Basketball attendance

NCAA report on basketball attendance - Arkansas is 29th nationally

NCAA notice of allegations to Ohio State

In a 13-page indictment of Tressel’s behavior, the NCAA alleged that Tressel had “permitted football student-athletes to participate in intercollegiate athletics while ineligible.” It also said he “failed to deport himself ... (with) honesty and integrity” and said he was lying when he filled out a compliance form in September which said he had no knowledge of any NCAA violations by any of his players.

Navigant report on NLRSD

Navigant report on NLRSD

Navigant report on PCSSD

Navigant report on PCSSD

Lard affidavit

Lard affidavit

Rejected school facility plans

Rejected school facility plans

Approved school facility projects

Approved school facility projects

Teresa Belew resignation

Teresa Belew resignation letter

SOC Soderquist Center contract

SOC Soderquist Center contract

State senator letters

State senator letters

State representative letters

State representative letters

Huckabee house details

Huckabee's Florida house details

Soderquist Center contract, questionnaire

The following is the contract between The Soderquist Center and the secretary of state, along with a staff questionnaire.

Pulaski County storm damage reports

Pulaski County storm damage reports

Roads blocked in LR after storm

Roads blocked in LR after storm

LRSD superintendent candidates

LRSD superintendent candidates

Jane Doe lawsuit against priest, diocese

Jane Doe lawsuit against priest, diocese

Recidivism rates survey

Pew Center report on recidivism rates

Garland Camper resignation letter

Garland Camper on Monday resigned as coroner.

Henderson State president applicants

More than 60 people have applied to become the president of Henderson State University.

Graduation rates - Higher education board agenda

Graduation rates for public community colleges and four-year universities are shown in the following agenda for the April 15, 2011 quarterly meeting of the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Fewer than forty percent of the state's students entering universities for the first time in 2004 had graduated by 2010, Evie Blad reports.

Supreme Court ruling on Act I

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Thursday released its opinion affirming a lower court ruling that voter-approved restrictions on adopting by unmarried couples were unconstitutional.

Order of nolle prosequi

Prosecutors said Tuesday in a Pope County Circuit Court hearing that they do not plan to try Gary Dunn for a third time in the slaying of Russellville beauty queen Nona Dirksmeyer, killed in 2005. The following is the order of nolle prosequi.

Motion for protection and preservation

Prosecutors said Tuesday in a Pope County Circuit Court hearing that they do not plan to try Gary Dunn for a third time in the slaying of Russellville beauty queen Nona Dirksmeyer, killed in 2005. The following is a motion for protection and preservation order concerning all investigative agencies and laboratory records pertaining to the investigatory files or testing results in the homicide of Nona Dirksmeyer.

Change of venue order

Prosecutors said Tuesday in a Pope County Circuit Court hearing that they do not plan to try Gary Dunn for a third time in the slaying of Russellville beauty queen Nona Dirksmeyer, killed in 2005. The following is an order on a change of venue from the Circuit Court of Pope County Division I.

Motion for nolle prosequi

Prosecutors said Tuesday in a Pope County Circuit Court hearing that they do not plan to try Gary Dunn for a third time in the slaying of Russellville beauty queen Nona Dirksmeyer, killed in 2005. The following is a motion for nolle prosequi.

Phillips letter of resignation

In his letter, Phillips thanks Beebe for the opportunity to serve.

Arkansas Baptist consent decree

Arkansas Baptist consent decree in retaliation civil action by Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Wal-Mart vs. Dukes transcript

The following is the transcript in the case of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., vs. Betty Dukes, et al.

Kevin Jones' suit against Jack McQuary

Kevin Jones filed suit against Jack McQuary over his refusal to provide court documents under the Freedom of Information Act. This is the complaint.

Medicaid Set 1

A description

Medicaid Data Set 1

NOTE: This .xlsx file is 12 MB. An Excel spreadsheet of Medicaid reimbursements for fiscal years 2006-2010.

Medicaid Set 2

Medicaid Data Set 2

Medicaid Data Set info

Explanation of data sets for Medicaid reimbursement.

UCA funds

UCA is Arkansas’ only such university that has a public fund set aside for the board of trustees to supervise and spend at its discretion on university needs, a survey of the schools found.

PCSSD fiscal distress letter

PCSSD fiscal distress letter

Little Rock Priority Needs

Little Rock Priority Needs

UCA president's home

The $23,222 includes moving, storage, return, and insurance.

Retiree system emails

The following emails show the unfolding conflict within the Arkansas Retirement System.

FERPA decision in Illinois

FERPA decision in Illinois

Barbara Anderson email

Former University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin has agreed to give up his law license after being convicted of money laundering and wire fraud. The following is an email from UCA Executive Vice President Barbara Anderson regarding the board auxiliary account.

2007 Hardin memo regarding bonus

Former University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin has agreed to give up his law license after being convicted of money laundering and wire fraud. The following is a memo written by Hardin to the board of trustees regarding a $300,000 bonus.

Copies of reimbursement checks to UCA

Former University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin has agreed to give up his law license after being convicted of money laundering and wire fraud. The following are copies of checks written to UCA to reimburse bonuses Hardin received.

State of City address 2011

Mayor Mark Stodola delivered the State of the City address Friday, using part of it to call for a sales tax increase.

Medicaid letter to Beebe

Health-care providers send letter to Gov. Mike Beebe criticizing is plans to overhaul Medicaid.

Fairground feasibility study

The Arkansas State Livestock Association heard a presentation Thursday based on this feasibility study on the fair moving to an area near the I-40/I-440 corridor.

Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County

Racial Attitudes in Pulaski County Study by UALR

Order on new hearing in West Memphis child murder case

A judge this week set a timeframe for a hearing to consider new evidence in the appeals of three men convicted of grisly murders of three children in West Memphis.

ANALYZING THE SUCCESS OF ARKANSAS’S CHARTER SCHOOLS

ANALYZING THE SUCCESS OF ARKANSAS’S CHARTER SCHOOLS

Rifle championship results

2011 American Legion 12th Annual Junior Air Rifle Championship results

Beebe letter on Medicaid

Gov. Mike Beebe sent a letter to the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary on Medicaid transformation in the state.

Part I

The Arkansas Department of Health has issued a report on Pamela Harper, the woman who was mistakenly ruled dead by paramedics.

Part II

The Arkansas Department of Health has released its report on Pamela Harper, the woman mistakenly ruled dead by paramedics.

Negative Equity by State: Fourth Quarter2010

This document shows negative equity for the fourth quarter of 2010. About 11.1 million households, or 23.1 percent of all mortgaged homes in the U.S., were underwater in the October-December quarter, according to CoreLogic, a business data collector.

Negative Equity by State: Third Quarter2010

This document shows negative equity for the third quarter of 2010. About 11.1 million households, or 23.1 percent of all mortgaged homes in the U.S., were underwater in the October-December quarter, according to CoreLogic, a business data collector.

Lu Hardin 2008 letter

On March 25, 2008, UCA President Lu Hardin wrote a letter to Randy Sims and the UCA board of trustees about a compensation package.

Department of Justice news release on Hardin

The Department of Justice released this information following the guilty plea of Lu Hardin, former director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, in a money laundering and wire fraud case.

UCA board letter to attorney general

UCA board requested an opinion from the attorney general about the planned compensation package.

Memo on Hardin's deferred compensation

This is a memo detailing former UCA President Lu Hardin's deferred compensation of $300,000 by the Board of Trustees.

Agreement ending Hardin's UCA presidency

This agreement sets forth terms for the conclusion of former UCA President Lu Hardin's service with the university. Hardin pleaded guilty March 7 to federal charges of money laundering and wire fraud.

Hardin letter of resignation

On Aug. 28, 2008, Lu Hardin submitted his letter of resignation as president of the University of Central Arkansas. Hardin pleaded guilty March 7 to federal charges of money laundering and wire fraud.

Hardin plea agreement

Former University of Central Arkansas President Lu Hardin pleaded guilty March 7 to wire fraud and money laundering as part of this plea agreement.

Federal court filing

This is the federal court filing in the case of former Director of the state Department of Higher Education Lu Hardin, who entered a guilty plea to charges of money laundering and wire fraud March 7, 2011.

2011 Marathon Relay Results

These are the results of the 4-person relay part of the Little Rock Marathon races Sunday.

2011 Half Marathon results

More than 2,914 people took part in the 2011 Half Marathon in Little Rock on Sunday. Here are their results.

2011 Half Marathon walkers' results

Several hundred participants walked the Little Rock Half Marathon Sunday in downtown Little Rock. Here are their results

2011 Marathon Results

The 2011 Little Rock marathon brought out more than 1,800 runners. Here are their results.

2011 Full Marathon Walkers Results

Full Marathon walkers results

2011 Little Rock Marathon 5K results

These are the results of the Little Rock Marathon 5K race held on 3/5/11.

2008 LR Marathon 5K results

2008 LR Marathon 5K results

Draft of prison sentencing legislation

A draft prison overhaul legislation that focuses largely on reducing prison sentences for drug users and criminals under age 18. The governor’s office said the bill has gone through several revision, most of them technical, since this draft was distributed.

Arkansas in the Balance shale report

A report by the Arkansas Public Policy Panel on the Fayetteville shale.

Arkansas' most populous cities and counties

The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday released figures showing the breakdown of Arkansas' 9.1 percent population growth between 2000 and 2010.

Muhammad January 2011 DHS evaluation

A new mental health evaluation was conducted for Abdul Hakin Muhammad.

Consultant report on UAPB

This report reviewing effectiveness of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff was compiled by a team of out-of-state higher education consultants. The Arkansas Department of Higher Education asked the team to explore potential weaknesses in the university before it recommended approval of a measure that will allow the university to offer its first doctorate.

Plan adopted for Conway HDC

Under a plan adopted Wednesday, the state will move the 50 children living at the Conway Human Development Center to private institutions that focus solely on caring for younger people.

Remediation Report 2011

The Arkansas Department of Higher Education compiled a report on remediation. The report includes rates for each public college and university as well as school district data showing how many students needed to take remedial courses before they could take for-credit classes at the college level.

NAEP report card on science

A third or fewer of the nation’s fourth, eighth and 12th graders — and even smaller percentages of Arkansas students — scored at a proficient level on the 2009 science portions of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a slate of exams also known as The Nation’s Report Card.

DHS centers January 2011 ruling

A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit Tuesday that accused the state of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act at its human development centers throughout the state.

DHS centers January 2011 judgment

A federal judge dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit Tuesday that accused the state of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act at its human development centers throughout the state.

Kevin Bearden Homicide Incident Report

Kevin Bearden, a manager of Harvest Foods, was shot several times during a May 14, 1997 robbery of the store. This is the LR Police Incident report.

Recipients of money from the top Arkansas political donors

Recipients of money from the top Arkansas political donors

Ethics Commission letter to Meadors

Ethics Commission letter to Allen C. Meadors, Ph.D.

Arkansas higher ed report

A report from the nonprofit group National Center for Higher Education Management Systems on higher education governance.

THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT for 2011

THE GENERAL APPROPRIATION ACT FOR THE ORDINARY EXPENSES OF THE EXECUTIVE, JUDICIAL AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES FOR THE 2011-2012 FISCAL YEAR.

Affadavit for arrest warrant for Tevin Bradley

Affadavit for arrest warrant for Tevin Bradley

Affadavit for arrest warrant for Veeders Nelson Jr.

Affadavit for arrest warrant for Veeders Nelson Jr.

Mohammad letter to Judge Wright

Abdulhakim Mohammad's letter to Judge Herb Wright, requesting he be allowed to represent himself

Study on Arkansas corrections system

A statewide working group, with assistance from the Pew Center on the States, has proposed recommendations aimed at containing prison growth and costs while improving public safety.

Report on college remediation classes

The state Bureau of Legislative Research issued a report on college freshmen who need to take remedial, non-credit classes.

School PDF test

PDF School project test

Bee study

It came with wobbly writing and hand-drawn diagrams, but an elementary school science project has made it into a peer-reviewed journal from Britain’s prestigious Royal Society.

School choice filing

School choice filing

Baggett resignation letter

Baggett resignation letter

FBI reports crime stats

National or state offense totals are based on data from all reporting agencies and estimates for unreported areas. Sources: FBI, Uniform Crime Reports as prepared by the National Archive of Criminal Justice Data

Redus judgment, opinion

Judgment and opinion in the case against Mayor Carl Redus

289 attain National Board Certification in 2010

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards today released the names of 289 Arkansas teachers who attained National Board Certification in 2010. This brings the total of National Board Certified Teachers in Arkansas to 1,690.

Audit of Pulaski County Special

Special audit of the Pulaski County Special School District

Petrino letter of agreement

Letter of agreement between Razorbacks' head coach Bobby Petrino and the University of Arkansas

Baggett-Thompson indictment

Indictment detailing charges against Samuel Baggett and George Thompson

Court order on shredding

Arkansas Supreme Court order declining to hear an appeal from Pulaski County Circuit Clerk Pat O'Brien.

Blue Ribbon Committee final report

Arkansas Blue Ribbon Committee on Highway Finance issued its final report Wednesday.

Don't Ask Don't Tell Report

Don't Ask Don't Tell Report

Order in Weiner merger suit

A U.S. District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit by Weiner residents challenging the merger of their school district.

Certification of vacancy

Certification of vacancy for State Rep. Rick Saunders office

Saunders' letter of resignation

Saunders' letter of resignation

Judgment in Weiner merger suit

A U.S. District Court judge dismissed a lawsuit by Weiner residents challenging the merger of their school district.

Dreher Cut Off Fatal Fire Report

A house fire at Dreher Cut Off claimed the life of one man. Here is the official report.

October housing report

Arkansas Realtors Association report on October housing sales

Albert Pike flood victims

The 20 people who died in the Albert Pike flood on June 11.

October unemployment numbers

The Department of Workforce Services on Tuesday released October unemployment numbers.

Kerri Basinger and Candace Smith letter

A letter from Kerri Basinger and Candace Smith, who each lost her husband and two young children in the Albert Pike flood.

Wyatt memo

Les Wyatt's memo

Mathieu's letter to LR Christian Academy

Mathieu's letter to LR Christian Academy regarding termination of ad contract

Refund check for LR Airport ad

Copy of the check refunding Little Rock National Airport's $40,000 for an ad on Warrior Field.

LRCA's letter to the LR airport regarding its ad

Little Rock Christian Academy's letter to the LR airport regarding its ad

NAEP report

NAEP report

Sierra Club report on air quality

Arkansas can expect to see more bad air quality days in the near future if 12 proposed coal fired plants are opened in Texas because the pollution from the stacks would drift across state lines, according to a recently released Sierra Club report.

Highway Work Group recommendations

An “equitable and adequate system” to finance city, county and state road work includes a bevy of potential revenue transfers or tax increases, including a half-cent sales tax for 10 years to be used for a $3.8 billion bond program, under a final report a working group studying the issue will submit to the governor and Legislature Dec. 1.

AG opinion on District 24 election

The Arkansas attorney general’s office says the law is conflicted on what should happen after voters elected a deceased candidate to the state House of Representatives.

Report on Helena-West Helena

Report on Helena-West Helena

Broadband report

Exploring The Digital Nation: Home Broadband Internet Adoption In The United States

Cover letter and resume for William B. Richardson Jr.

Cover letter and resume of William B. Richardson Jr.

Applicant log

Applicant tracking log in presidential search for Arkansas State University System

Cover letter and resume for Charles L. Welch

Cover letter and resume for Charles L. Welch

Cover letter and resume for Richard J. Federinko

Cover letter and resume for Richard J. Federinko

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE

LEGISLATIVE JOINT AUDITING COMMITTEE 2011 - 2012 MEMBERSHIP LIST

AB Committee Membership 2011

AB Committee Membership 2011

Arkansas House seniority list

Arkansas House seniority list

Echols decision

Echols decision

Baldwin decision

Baldwin decision

Misskelley decision

Misskelley decision

AYP report 2010

The annual Adequate Yearly Progress list shows the Arkansas schools in need of improvement.

Arkansas Conservatives United ad No. 2: Jason Rapert

Arkansas Conservatives United ad No. 2: Jason Rapert

Arkansas Conservatives United ad No.2: Bruce Holland

Arkansas Conservatives United ad No.2: Bruce Holland

Arkansas Conservatives United ad: Bruce Holland

Arkansas Conservatives United ad: Bruce Holland

Arkansas Conservatives United ad: Jason Rapert

Arkansas Conservatives United ad: Jason Rapert

Arkansas Conservatives United ad No. 2: Missy Thomas Irvin

Arkansas Conservatives United ad No. 2: Missy Thomas Irvin

Arkansas Conservatives United ad: Missy Thomas Irvin

Arkansas Conservatives United ad: Missy Thomas Irvin

Lisa Blount Death Report

Incident report from Little Rock Police for the death of Lisa Blount

UA's Arkansas poll

The Arkansas Poll, 2010 Summary Report

Conway 2025

The plan sets more than 130 goals to be accomplished by the year 2025. The goals are organized into focus areas that promise to “Keep Conway”: Active, Building, Creative, Learning, Moving, Safe and Working. The process was lead by a seven member steering committee of Conway residents. The content of the plan was developed entirely by Conway area residents. Conway Chamber staff facilitated over 50 “sector group” meetings to set the goals.

Ethics Commission ruling in Maggio case

Ethics Commission ruling in Maggio case

UA facilities plan

The University of Arkansas plans for facilities

LRPD architect report on HQ conditions

Little Rock’s police headquarters will need nearly $20,000 of additional work to rid it of moldy and water-stained material damaged by roof leaks and sweaty ductwork, according to a report from the city’s architect.

Intercollegiate Athletic Revenue and Expenditures Report, 2009-10

Report of 2009-10 intercollegiate athletic revenues and expenditures

Howard's open letter to the ASU campus

Howard's open letter to the ASU campus

Amendment challenge ruling

The Arkansas Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a challenge to an amendment being voted on this election.

Albert Pike review team report

USDA review team report of the Albert Pike flood on June 11 that killed 20 people

USDA Recreation Safety Report

On June 11, 2010, a flash flood on the Ouachita National Forest in Arkansas claimed the lives of 20 people camping in or near Albert Pike Recreation Area. In response to this tragic incident, the Forest Service has taken actions to address visitor safety at both the Albert Pike Recreation Area and at other developed recreation sites on National Forests and National Grasslands across the nation. This report documents the Forest Service’s response to date. The report contains three parts: Incident at Albert Pike Recreation Area, Regional Assessments, and National Actions. The report also contains an appendix which provides additional responses to the USDA Review Report on the incident at Albert Pike Recreation Area.

Meadors' response to ethics commission

UCA President Meadors' response to ethics commission

Game and Fish Commission FOI draft

Game and Fish Commission FOI draft

Ethics commission letter on UCA

Ethics commission letter on UCA

Letter of suspension for deputy

The Pulaski County sheriff’s office suspended a jail deputy Thursday for five work days, accusing her of failing to search a prisoner later found with a loaded .22-caliber pistol and drugs.

Tucker Prison shooting report summary

Four witnesses to the fatal shooting at the Tucker Maximum Security Unit last year told accounts of what happened that were "distinctly different" from what the correction officer who fired the shots said, according to the state police investigation.

2010 American Values Survey

The Public Religion Research Institute releases findings from the 2010 American Values Survey concerning religion and the 2010 election.

Gibbs resignation letter

A Pulaski County jail deputy scheduled for a disciplinary hearing related to the .22-caliber handgun and drugs smuggled into the facility last month resigned Monday before administrators decided what punishment he should receive.

ASU Pres. Search Advisory Comm. invites 2 candidates for interviews

This memo from Florine Milligan, chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, lists two more candidates who have been invited to the first round of interviews, along with a third who has not yet been reached.

ASU Pres. Search Advisory Comm. cancels meeting

This memo from Florine Milligan, chair of the Presidential Search Advisory Committee, reschedules the committee's meeting.

Game and Fish Commission policy change

Game and Fish Commission policy change

2010 school flu clinic schedules

2010 school flu clinic schedules

Issue 2

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1004

Issue 3

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 1007

Car-bike accident report

Pat Booth affidavit and accident report

Issue 1

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 3

Beebe's official proclamation on cars

Beebe's official proclamation on cars

State GOP suit over car use

State GOP suit over car use

GOP vehicle lawsuit

Lawsuit filed by the Republican Party of Arkansas over personal use of state vehicles by constitutional officers.

American Community Survey for Arkansas

American Community Survey for Arkansas

Arkansas adoption report

Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families report on adoptions in state

Details of LRPD Roof contract

Details of LRPD Roof contract

LRPD Roofing Resolution

LRPD Roofing Resolution

Aaron Jones indictment

Grand jury indictment against Aaron Jones

Nucor complaint

Complaint to recover Arkansas gross receipts, taxes and compensating use taxes

Response to Nucor complaint

Response to Nucor complaint

Pulaski County sheriff's report on weapon

Pulaski County sheriff's report on weapon found on inmate

Church burglary reports

Burglary reports involving five Little Rock churches

Pinnacle Point Circuit Court Decision

Pinnacle Point Circuit Court Decision

Pinnacle Point Judgement and Foreclosure

Pinnacle Point Judgement and Forclosure

Structural engineer's inspection

Structural engineer's inspection

Aug. 2010 Air-quality report

Aug. 2010 Air-quality report

July housing report

Summary of July 2010 housing report from the Arkansas Realtors Association

September 8 PCSSD schedule

PCSSD releases new bell schedule

Alexander arrest report

The following is the arrest report for Robert Dale Alexander.

Bar exam results

Bar exam results

2010 Job Creation in Arkansas

Jobs added to date in 2010

2007 Job Creation in Arkansas

Jobs created in 2007

2009 Job Creation in Arkansas

Jobs added in 2009

2008 Job Creation in Arkansas

Jobs added in 2008

Subpoena calling for electronic documents used by Lu Hardin or Joe Darling

Subpoena calling for electronic documents or equipment used by Lu Hardin or Joe Darling.

U.S. response to motion for acquittal, new trial in Mann case

U.S. response to motion for acquittal, new trial in Mann case

Subpoena calling Rush Harding for grand jury in Lu Hardin case

The subpoena calling Rush Harding to testify before a grand jury.

Sheffield Nelson lawsuit

Sheffield Nelson sued the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in Pulaski County Circuit Court

August revenue report

August revenue report

Jerry Cox letter to stores

Jerry Cox letter to stores warning about the lottery vending machines

Connecting Rural and Urban America

National study by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation: Connecting Rural and Urban America

Letter sent to Pulaski County Special School Board members

This letter accompanied video and audio sent to members of the Pulaski County Special School Board.

UCA accreditation report

UCA accreditation report

Report: 90,000 inmates sexually victimized

The government reported Thursday that 4.4 percent of inmates in prison and 3.1 percent of inmates in jail report being victimized sexually by another inmate or staff member.

Agreement reached in PCSSD bell case

Agreement reached in PCSSD bell case

Bobby Tullis filings

A former state lawmaker who opted to challenge state Treasurer Martha Shoffner confirmed Wednesday that he’s also running for the mayor of Mineral Springs in the Nov. 2 general election.

McIntosh 2010 police report

Aug. 23, 2010, police report involving Trimell McIntosh

McIntosh 1995 police report

1995 police report concerning Trimell McIntosh

PCSSD bell schedule letter

Letter on bell schedule from Pulaski County Special School District Superintendent Charles Hopson

Benefit football games 2010

A schedule of benefit football games

Broadband map

A map of the broadband proposal by UAMS.

ACT 2010 scores for Arkansas

ACT 2010 scores for Arkansas

Broadband application

A grant application filed by the University of Arkansas System, requesting $102,464,237 in grants from the Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration for broadband initiatives in the state.

ADHE response to FOIA

Arkansas Department of Higher Education responds to FOIA request on details of scholarships. (Note: This includes several documents compiled into one PDF file that is 505 pages long and 8.2 MB.

PCSSC bell schedule

PCSSC revised bell schedule

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance

Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults, often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, and are interrelated and preventable.

PCSSD teacher amended lawsuit

PCSSD teacher amended lawsuit

John W. Batton police report

John W. Batton police report

Dealerships selling state vehicles

Dealerships selling state vehicles

Holmes lawsuit

The Little Rock woman blamed by Pulaski County officials in the theft of $14,700 from county offices says she was an honest, hard-working employee made into a “scapegoat” by an administration that has “thrown [her] under the bus.” Serita LaRonce Holmes, 56, made the accusations in a response to a lawsuit by the county that seeks to make her repay the money. Holmes’ filing, a six-page answer to the lawsuit and a four-page statement, was filed on Tuesday. No hearings have been set.

Holmes answer

The Little Rock woman blamed by Pulaski County officials in the theft of $14,700 from county offices says she was an honest, hard-working employee made into a “scapegoat” by an administration that has “thrown [her] under the bus.” Serita LaRonce Holmes, 56, made the accusations in a response to a lawsuit by the county that seeks to make her repay the money. Holmes’ filing, a six-page answer to the lawsuit and a four-page statement, was filed on Tuesday. No hearings have been set.

Task force on ASU campus security

Task force on ASU campus security Report to the Chancellor

Old claims

Four long-standing cases remain on the docket of the state commission charged with deciding whether to reimburse people who claim they’ve been wronged by the state of Arkansas.

Arkansas Republican Party platform

Arkansas Republican Party platform

Arkansas Democratic Party platform

Arkansas Democratic Party platform

Arkansas Green Party platform

Arkansas Green Party platform

ASU letters on land

he director of a Heber Springs foundation that gave money to the Arkansas State University System to help buy property for the university system’s Heber Springs campus says his donation was used improperly to pay for a land seller’s bankruptcy.

Muhammad letter on attorney

In a handwritten letter to the judge this week, Muhammad said he intends to fire his Memphis lawyer and be represented by the public defender commission "to avoid any more delays in this bogus upcoming trial."

Game and Fish Commission commuters

Game and Fish Commission commuters

Stone County sheriff election suit

The Republican nominee for Stone County sheriff wants a judge to stop next week’s election to determine his Democratic opponent.

Stone County sheriff election suit supporting material

The Republican nominee for Stone County sheriff wants a judge to stop next week’s election to determine his Democratic opponent.

Muhammad court-ordered evaluation summary

The following is a summary of a court-ordered evaluation of Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad.

Nonfiling nonprofits in Arkansas

This is the IRS list of more than 3,000 Arkansas nonprofits who have not filed tax returns in the past three years.

Governor's Policy Directive

Governor's policy directive on use and purchase of state vehicles.

Material Loss Review of ANB Financial, National Association

SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS: Material Loss Review of ANB Financial, National Association November 25, 2008

Arts Center financial report

Arts Center financial report

Clint Conque's employment agreement

Clint Conque's employment agreement with the University of Central Arkansas

Car theft hot spots in Arkansas

Car theft hot spots in Arkansas

Car thefts hot spots in Metropolitan Statistical Areas nationwide

Car thefts hot spots in Metropolitan Statistical Areas nationwide

Statement of apology by officers in death of Bobby Joe Rylee

Statement of apology by officers in death of Bobby Joe Rylee

Lawsuit filed over personal use of state vehicles

Lawsuit filed over personal use of state vehicles

Accreditation report for Arkansas schools

Accreditation report for Arkansas schools

Baseline death incident report

Baseline death incident report

Beasley arrest report

Jaquon Beasley was charged with murder in the death of his ex-girlfriend. She was found stabbed in her burning car.

McDaniel's statement on use of state vehicle

Attorney General Dustin McDaniel's remarks on his personal use of a state vehicle.

Fox order on PACT dispute

Judge Tim Fox rules that the Pulaski County Special School District’s second vote to withdraw PACT recognition is null and void because they had not followed the proper steps to set up personnel policy committees in timely fashion.

Harrell arrest officer report

A Little Rock district judge set bail at $500,000 Friday for a man accused of first-degree murder in an April killing on a city street — even though the man is already in the Pulaski County jail awaiting space in prison and cannot be released on bail.

Crossett probable cause

Adrianne Green was held without bond on probable cause on charges of capital murder, kidnapping and aggravated robbery in the shooting death of Johnson and Waters’ mother, Donna Woodberry.

Emmy list

Complete list of 2010 Emmy nominations

Charter school letters of intent

14 proposed charter schools filed letters of intent with the state Education Department.

Standardized test scores for Arkansas students

The following are the results of standardized tests, mid-year and spring, in algebra, geometry and biology for Arkansas students.

Collins bankruptcy reaffirmation agreement

Jeff Collins bankruptcy reaffirmation agreement

Collins trustee discharge letter

Jeff Collins bankruptcy trustee discharge letter.

Collins asset notice

Jeff Collins notice of assets.

Collins Bankruptcy Filing

Jeff Collins bankruptcy filing

Bankruptcy Discharge

Bankruptcy discharge documents for Jeffrey Collins

K2 draft rules

A state Health Board rule that bans the distribution of synthetic marijuana products in Arkansas

DFA report for June

Department of Finance and Administration report

Weiner lawsuit

Supporters of a small Arkansas school district have filed a federal lawsuit against the state.

Report on West Memphis shootings

Arkansas State Police documents on the fatal shooting of two West Memphis police officers and the subsequent shootout in which the father-son suspects were killed.

Weiner lawsuit support documents

Supporters of a small Arkansas school district have filed a federal lawsuit against the state.

Weiner preliminary injunction

Supporters of a small Arkansas school district have filed a federal lawsuit against the state.

Faulkner County Historical Society letter regarding sidewalks

Faulkner County Historical Society letter regarding sidewalks

Obesity report 2010

"F as in Fat, How Obesity Threatens America's Future

Gary Smith statement

Gary Smith statement on AT&T -War Memorial Stadium deal

Charles Hopson's letter

A letter from Charles L. Hopson, Ph.D., to the Jacksonville High School Learning Community

MEMS protocols on life support

MEMS protocols on withholding/withdrawal of life support (The first page is the old policy, while the second page is the new policy being put into effect now)

MEMS operations policy

MEMS operations policy and procedures

MEMS protocols on hypothermia, PEA

MEMS Protocol for pulseless electrical activity and hypothermia

LRPD collision report in fatal wreck

Little Rock Police Department collision report filed in an accident that killed a bicyclist.

Julius Jones

Julius Jones documents

Response to LRSD motion to enforce settlement

Response to the Little Rock School District's motion to enforce the 1989 desegregation settlement

Addendum to response to LRSD's motion to enforce settlement

Addendum to response to LRSD's motion to enforce settlement

HUD homelessness study

HUD homelessness assessment

Benchmark results

These are the Benchmark Exam results for grades 3-8.

Pamela Harper officer report

Pamela Harper officer report

Benchmark 5-year comparison

Benchmark 5-year comparison

Harper coroner report

Harper coroner report

Harper medical examiner report

Harper medical examiner report

Report on Arkansas traffic

Report by The Road Information Program, Future Mobility in Arkansas

Lawsuit over polling sites

A Hot Springs attorney representing three Garland County voters has filed a lawsuit against the county’s election commission, claiming it violated the law when it opened only two polling places for Tuesday’s runoff election.

Mississippi River and Tributaries

The Bayou Meto Basin irrigation project was awarded $37 million in federal stimulus money that, when coupled with $20.2 million in state funds, will allow work to begin on pump stations that will move water from the Arkansas River to farms in a 1,350-square-mile area.

Jail inmate population

The nation’s local jail population is declining for the first time since the federal government began keeping count. The number of inmates in county and city jails was about 767,600 at the end of last June, down by nearly 18,000 inmates from a year earlier. Growth in the U.S. jail population has been slowing since 2005. The latest total was down 2.3 percent and represented the first decline since the Bureau of Justice Statistics began its annual survey of jails in 1982.

Letter on UCA scholarships

The U.S. Department of Education is standing by its decision advising the University of Central Arkansas not to release the names of students who got no-criteria presidential discretionary scholarships.

Teen sex report

A growing number of teen girls say they use the rhythm method for birth control, and more teens also think it’s OK for an unmarried female to have a baby, according to a government survey released Wednesday. The report may help explain why the teen pregnancy rate is no longer dropping like it was.

Lottery letter

Spurred by an anonymous letter purported to be from several lottery employees, the Arkansas Lottery Commission decided Wednesday to ask the state to review the lottery’s personnel policies and salary structure.

Race to the Top Application 2

Arkansas has once again applied for a portion of $3.4 billion from the federal Race to the Top grant aimed at improving student performance across the country. The state hopes to use the $175 million it’s asking for to turn around low-performing schools and improve the quality and support of teachers and school leaders.

Little Rock School Districts's motion to enforce 1989 settlement agreement

Little Rock School Districts's motion to enforce 1989 settlement agreement

Updated Analysis of Racial Segregation in Pulaski County Charter and Traditional Public Schools

Updated Analysis of Racial Segregation in Pulaski County Charter and Traditional Public Schools, by UA's Office for Education Policy

Brief in support of motion to enforce 1989 settlement agreement

Brief in support of the Little Rock School District's motion to enforce 1989 settlement agreement

Judge rules Conway suit to stay intact

The federal judge hearing a case against the Conway Human Development Center denied on Thursday a request by the U.S. Department of Justice to consolidate part of that lawsuit with another one focusing on Arkansas’ entire system of care for the developmentally disabled.

Kane Ohio incident report

The 16-year-old involved in the murder of two West Memphis police officers considered shooting law enforcement personnel in the past, according to a statement his sister gave Ohio police.

Puppy stabbed police report

A homeless man used a kitchen knife to stab the throat of a puppy, killing it, as he burglarized a southwest Little Rock house early Wednesday, taking only a deck of cards and a ball cap emblazoned with a skull, police said.

State response to DHS suit

The Department of Human Services accused federal officials of violating their own policies when they filed a lawsuit against Arkansas’ six state-run centers for the developmentally disabled without first trying to negotiate improvements with state leaders.

Craig report, arrest affidavit

Little Rock District Judge Alice Lightle set bail at $1 million Tuesday morning for the man accused of shooting his girlfriend and stuffing her corpse in a city-owned trash bin in Boyle Park.

FBI Crime Statistics 2009

FBI Crime Statistics 2009

Entergy settlement

All parties in Entergy Arkansas’ rate case have again agreed to a $73.8 million increase in annual revenue. And again the increase will nonetheless mean lower bills for residential customers of the biggest electricity provider in the state.

Scholars announce college plans

High-ranking graduates announce their future plans

Letter from Nan Plummer

A letter from Nan Plummer describing her experience at the Arkansas Arts Center

Letter of recommendation for Nan Plummer

Belinda Shults, President of the Arkansas Arts Center Board of Trustees, letter of reference for former Arts Center Executive Director Nan Plummer.

Jim Huff affidavit

Probable cause affidavit filed against Jim Huff.

Plummer Separation Agreement

Former Arkansas Arts Center Director Nan Plummer’s separation agreement.

2009 assault incident report

June 2009 incident report for assault in which Jim Huff was a suspect.

Little Rock School District filing against charter schools

Little Rock School District filing against charter schools

Ruling on Old St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

Ruling on Old St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church

Attempted kidnapping police report

Little Rock Police Department incident report for May 16 home invasion attack at 412 Shamrock

Investigative report on Pulaski County Special School District

Investigative report on Pulaski County Special School District

IRS interim report on colleges, universities

IRS releases interim report on nonprofit colleges and universities compliance project

Nine sites put on "endangered" list

Each May during Arkansas Heritage Month and National Preservation Month, the Alliance announces its Most Endangered Historic Places list. This year’s theme of Arkansas Heritage Month is “Roads Less Traveled: The Enduring Heritage of Rural Arkansas.”

Twin Rivers suit

A nonprofit group representing Twin Rivers School District parents filed a lawsuit Thursday asking for a judge to void the State Board of Education’s vote to close the school district due to academic problems

Opinion on Muhammad defense

Arkansas Supreme Court opinion ruling the state must pay certain defense costs for Abdulhakim Muhammad even though he is represented by a private attorney hired by his parents.

SWEPCO court ruling

Arkansas Supreme Court opinion ruling the approval process for SWEPCO's Hempstead County power plant was unlawful.

Public Service Commission filing

Entergy's PSC filing

Sales tax summary

Sales tax summary

Les Wyatt resignation letter

Les Wyatt resignation letter

Complaint filed against state over DHS centers

Hundreds of deveolpmentally disabled people are illegally segregated in large state institutions, in part because Arkansas doesn’t have the kind of community-based services these people need, a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on Thursday alleges.

Ruling in boy's murder case

Supreme Court ruling ordering a new trial for a Camden boy who was convicted of killing his sister when he was 12.

DHS 2nd filing May 5

The U.S. Department of Justice says Arkansas’ entire system for serving people with developmental disabilities is out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and began laying the groundwork Wednesday for filing a lawsuit later this week against all six of the state facilities serving those individuals.

DHS filing May 5

The U.S. Department of Justice says Arkansas’ entire system for serving people with developmental disabilities is out of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and began laying the groundwork Wednesday for filing a lawsuit later this week against all six of the state facilities serving those individuals.

Arkansas voting guide

Arkansas voting guide

Report on Arkansas graduation rate

Report on Arkansas graduation rate

Supreme court ruling against Proctor

Supreme court ruling against Proctor

Letter to PCSSD teachers

Letter to PCSSD teachers

Arkansas Arts Center Foundation tax return 2003

Arkansas Arts Center Foundation tax return 2003

Plummer's employment contract

Ellen A. Plummer's employment contract with the Arkansas Arts Center

Arkansas Arts Center Foundation tax return 2004

Arkansas Arts Center Foundation tax return 2004

Arkansas Arts Center Foundation tax return 2002

Arkansas Arts Center Foundation tax return 2002

2010 Red-White rosters

Rosters for Arkansas' 2010 Red-White game

Central High incident report

Central High incident report

Proposal for revising desegregation settlement

Proposal for revising desegregation settlement

Judge overturns state adoption law

A Pulaski County circuit judge has overturned Arkansas’ law banning unmarried couples living together from adopting or fostering children, finding that the measure infringes on a person’s right to privacy.

Court issues stay of execution for Don Davis

The Arkansas Supreme Court has issued a stay of execution for Don William Davis, ruling that a challenge by Davis of the protocol for lethal injection deserves a hearing.

Judge dismisses Proctor's challenge

Any votes for Willard Proctor Jr won't be counted, a circuit judge ruled on Monday, dismissing the deposed judge's constitutional challenge to the law that prevents him from ever holding judicial office again.

Analysis of the President's 2011 Budget

An analysis of President Obama's budget by the Congressional Budget Office

Kiesle letters

The future Pope Benedict XVI resisted pleas to defrock a California priest with a record of sexually molesting children, citing concerns including “the good of the universal church,” according to a 1985 letter bearing his signature.

Giusti criminal complaint

A man accused of threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in phone calls cried Thursday during a court appearance where a magistrate initially refused his request to be released to a halfway house. Gregory Lee Giusti, 48, of San Francisco looked disheveled in a gray T-shirt and khakis as he appeared for the first time before Magistrate Judge Bernard Zimmerman, who said Giusti may have bipolar disorder and should be receiving treatment.

Tobacco reports

ATLANTA — Fourteen states, the nation’s capital and the federal government increased their cigarette taxes last year, but health officials worry that tobacco company discounts are keeping prices down. In Arkansas, at the behest of Gov. Mike Beebe, the state Legislature raised the state cigarette tax of 59 cents per pack to $1.15 per pack and increased the sales tax on other tobacco products from 32 percent to 68 percent. The increase was aimed at raising about $80 million a year for distribution among about 20 health-related programs.

Fox order on PACT contract

A Pulaski County circuit judge on Thursday declared “null and void” last year’s School Board vote to discontinue recognizing the Pulaski Association of Classroom Teachers as the contract bargaining agent for teachers in the state’s third largest district. Judge Tim Fox ruled that the board for the Pulaski County Special School District has the authority to terminate the professional negotiations agreement with the teachers union, but that the board in this case did not meet pre-requisite legal requirements to do so.

Conway center ruling

A judge on Wednesday rejected the federal government’s assertion that residents of the Conway Human Development Center face imminent harm unless a court immediately halts admissions of children and orders certain practices stopped. “The Court does not take lightly the seriousness of the accusations,” Chief U.S. District Judge Leon Holmes said in an order issued in response to a March 9 request from the U.S. Department of Justice for a preliminary injunction against the center. Still, Holmes said, he must consider whether the residents are likely to suffer irreparable harm “but for immediate court intervention.”

Attorney general's opinion on proposed health amendment

Attorney general's opinion on proposed health amendment

UCA audit

The state’s annual audit of the University of Central Arkansas uncovered a number of bookkeeping errors. The Arkansas Division of Legislative Audit released on Wednesday the 65-page report, which uncovered a “material weakness” in the school’s internal financial controls.

Adequacy report

Adequacy report

Birth rate reports

The new report on births was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s based on a review of more than 99 percent of birth certificates for the year 2008 — the first full year of the recession.

UA study on charter schools, desegregation in LR

UA study on charter schools, desegregation in LR

Act 820

Act 820

Arkansas Literary Festival schedule

Arkansas Literary Festival schedule

Rickey Hicks findings

Rickey Hicks findings

Contract for Alexander center

Contract for Alexander center

March revenue report

March revenue report

1989 desegregation case

1989 desegregation case

Proctor responses, amended complaint

Pages 1-2 Proctor response to motion for summary judgment Pages 3-20 Proctor brief to motion for summary judgment Pages 21-28 Proctor amended complaint Pages 29-37 Commissioner's answer to amended complaint

Missing person report

Missing person report for Roshunda Bates

Alexander center contract

Alexander center contract

Shot in foot incident report

Man distracted by dog shoots self in foot

Arkansas new vehicle registration

Arkansas new vehicle registration

Records released in Gatrell cases

Records released in Gatrell cases

State of the City address

Text of Mayor Mark Stodola's State of the City address.

Letter to Beebe on health care

Letter to Beebe on health care

Heller letter to LRSD on charter schools

Heller letter to LRSD on charter schools

Motion to enforce in LRSD deseg case

Motion to enforce in LRSD deseg case

LRSD strategic plan - final

LRSD strategic plan - final

Motion for temporary restraining order

Motion for temporary restraining order in Main Street church case

Temporary restraining order brief

Temporary restraining order brief in Main Street church case

Motion in Main Street church case

Motion in Main Street church case

Complaint in Main Street church case

Complaint in Main Street church case

NLR names 2nd suspect in Salvation Army shooting

NLR names 2nd suspect in Salvation Army shooting

Forte doctor letters

Letters from Forte doctors evaluating him

Forte letter 1

Forte letter

Forte letter 2

Forte letter 2

Forte ruling

Forte case ruling

Forte documentation

Forte letters documenting denial of benefits

Forte similar case

Case similar to Forte

Marshall Street affidavit

The affidavit for a search and seizure warrant on a residence at Marshall and North 22nd streets from September 2009

Marshall Street incident report

The incident report for a raid on a house at Marshall Street in Little Rock from September 2009.

Proctor filings 3/25

The statute that prevents Willard Proctor Jr. from ever again being an Arkansas judge is legal because it’s not a limit on every candidate for judge but rather a prohibition for those who have been determined unfit to hold the office, state attorneys argue in a motion filed Thursday.

Letter in LR School District case

Letter in LR School District case

Request for attorney general's opinion

Request for attorney general's opinion

Proposed suit in LR School District case

Proposed suit in LR School District case

State response to Department of Justice suit

State response to Department of Justice suit

Arrest affidavits for Timothy Ray Ballard

Arrest affidavit for Timothy Ray Ballard

DHS center corrective action plan

The Alexander Human Development Center’s corrective action plan.

Nation's Report Card

Reading scores for Arkansas’ 4th- and 8th-graders remained stagnant from 2007 to 2009, according to results released Wednesday from the nation's only nationally representative and continuing measure of student achievement, the National Assessment of Education Progress.

Ballard incident report

Ballard incident report

Pope Benedict XVI's pastoral letter

Pope Benedict XVI's pastoral letter

DHS Quarterly Report

DHS Quarterly Report, last quarter of 2009

Lindsey bankruptcy

Lindsey detailed bankruptcy filing

Health care bill amendments

The health-care reform bill the House is voting on was approved by the Senate in December, plus there is a separate package of “fixes” negotiated by the two chambers that is designed to make the bill more palatable to House Democrats. The measure would cover more than 32 million uninsured Americans, expand Medicaid eligibility, set up new insurance exchanges and require nearly everyone to carry insurance or pay a fine.

Little Rock schools strategic plan

Adopting a reform-minded strategic plan is a painful but necessary step to boost student achievement in the struggling Little Rock School District, one of the plan’s authors said Thursday.

DOJ letters to investigate centers

The U.S. Department of Justice will inspect two residential facilities for the developmentally disabled next week, marking the first major step in the agency’s investigation of state-run human-development centers in Arkansas. Justice Department officials are to spend two days each at the Alexander and Arkadelphia human-development centers, Charlie Green of the Arkansas Department of Human Services said Thursday. It’s unclear if or when the federal agency will send teams to the centers in Booneville, Warren and Jonesboro.

Housing market report

Housing market report for January

2010 Spring Depth Chart

The Razorbacks' pre-spring depth chart released March 17.

Health care bill

The health-care reform bill the House is voting on was approved by the Senate in December, plus there is a separate package of “fixes” negotiated by the two chambers that is designed to make the bill more palatable to House Democrats. The measure would cover more than 32 million uninsured Americans, expand Medicaid eligibility, set up new insurance exchanges and require nearly everyone to carry insurance or pay a fine.

Proctor suit challenging law

Proctor simultaneously filed to run as a write-in candidate for his former post and brought suit against Secretary of State Charlie Daniels, challenging the constitutionality of Arkansas Code 16-10-410.

Alexander center reports, 2

Alexander center reports, 2

Mercury polluters list

Mercury polluters list

Southeast center report

Southeast center report

Booneville center report

Booneville center report

Arkadelphia center report

Arkadelphia center report

Jonesboro center report

Jonesboro center report

Alexander center reports, 1

Alexander center reports

Arkansas School Choice opinion

Arkansas School Choice opinion

Engergy appliance retailers

Engergy appliance retailers

Energy appliance list

Energy appliance list

Alexander center report

Alexander center report

Howell's request for reinstatement

Howell's request for reinstatement

Auditing committee report

Auditing committee report

Powerbar half marathon results

Powerbar half marathon results

Oral contraception study

Oral contraception study

Jones' execution stayed

A federal judge issued a stay Thursday for a man sentenced to die for the murder of a Bald Knob woman. The state attorney general’s office planned to appeal.

Cycle Breakers and Proctor responses

Cycle Breakers and Proctor responses

Motion to dismiss, Proctor

Motion to dismiss, Proctor

Racial attitudes survey

This report summarizes the findings of the seventh annual survey by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) of racial attitudes in Pulaski County.

Highway Study

HIghway Department safety findings

NLR restaurant tax report

NLR restaurant tax report

Residential Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends Through 2008

Residential Services for Persons with Developmental Disabilities: Status and Trends Through 2008

Bagenstos speech on disabled rights

The text of a speech by Deputy Assistant Attorney General Samuel R. Bagenstos of the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in November 2009.

Perspectives on Reentry summary

Perspectives on Reentry summary

Motion for injunction

Motion for injunction

Memo supporting motion for injunction

Memo supporting motion for injunction

Howell's termination letter

Pine Bluff Police Chief John Howell's termination letter

Advisory opinion

Advisory opinion

Operation Evil Eye indictment

Thirty-one people in Lonoke and Prairie counties have been indicted in a federal drug and weapons investigation. U.S. Attorney Jane Duke announced Wednesday in Little Rock that eight of the defendants were arrested and the rest would be summoned to appear in court.

DHS reponse on centers

DHS response on centers

Wickes, Van Cove merger documents

On January 28, the Department of Education received a Petition for Voluntary Consolidation of the Wickes School District with the Van Cove School District. Neither the Wickes School District nor the Van Cove School District are on the 2010 “Act 60” Consolidation List, which is comprised of districts that must be consolidated with or annexed into one (1) or more districts as the districts have fallen below 350 average daily student membership for both the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 school years. The current student population of the Wickes School District is 726 students (467 White, 232 Hispanic) and the current student population of the Van Cove School District is 435 students (398 White, 25 Hispanic). The Wickes and Van Cove School Districts are contiguous to each other. The Department has attached a copy of the Petition with attachments, as well as copies of academic demographic, standards for accreditation and fiscal information for the two (2) districts. An opinion has been requested from the Attorney General’s Office as to the segregative effect, if any, that would be caused to any school districts as a result of the proposed consolidation. The opinion is also attached.

Weiner, Harrisburg merger documents

On March 1, the Department of Education received a Petition for Voluntary Administrative Annexation of the Weiner School District into the Harrisburg School District. The Weiner School District is on the 2010 “Act 60” Consolidation List, meaning that the district must be consolidated with or annexed into one (1) or more districts as the district has fallen below 350 average daily student membership for both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years. The current student population of the Weiner School District is 323 students (308 White, 11 Hispanic), and the current student population of the Harrisburg School District is 1,134 students (1,075 White, 29 Hispanic). Any annexation or consolidation involving the Weiner School District must be approved by the State Board of Education by May 1, 2010, to become effective as of July 1, 2010. The Weiner and Harrisburg School Districts are contiguous to each other. The Department has attached a copy of the Petition. Academic, demographic, standards for accreditation and fiscal information for the two (2) districts will be forwarded to the State Board separately when the information is available. An opinion has been requested from the Attorney General’s Office as to the segregative effect, if any, that would be caused to any school districts as a result of the proposed consolidation. The opinion will be forwarded to the State Board members separately when it is received.

Delight, Murfreesboro merger documents

On February 25, the Arkansas Department of Education received a Petition for Voluntary Administrative Annexation of the Delight School District into the Murfreesboro School District. The Delight School District is on the 2010 “Act 60” Consolidation List, meaning that the district must be consolidated with or annexed into one (1) or more districts as the district has fallen below 350 average daily student membership for both the 2007-08 and 2008-09 school years. The current student population of the Murfreesboro School District is 545 students (482 White, 26 Hispanic, 24 African-American). Any annexation or consolidation involving the Delight School District must be approved by the State Board of Education by May 1, 2010, to become effective as of July 1, 2010. The Delight and Murfreesboro School Districts are contiguous to each other. The Department has attached a copy of the Petition with attachments. Academic, demographic, standards for accreditation and fiscal information for the two (2) districts will be forwarded to the State Board members separately when the information is available. An opinion has been requested from the Attorney General’s Office as to the segregative effect, if any, that would be caused to any school districts as a result of the proposed consolidation. The opinion will be forwarded to the State Board members separately when it is received.

City Attorney's opinion on fire chief

City Attorney's opinion in the promotion of Mark Mills to assistant fire chief

2010 Little Rock Marathon Results

2010 Little Rock Marathon Results

Marathon Relay Results

Marathon Relay Results

Half Marathon Results

Half Marathon Results

Marathon Walkers Results

Marathon Walkers Results

Help Find the Missing Act/Billy's Law

Help Find the Missing Act/Billy's Law

Motion for judgment in cockfighting

Motion for judgment on the pleadings

Age group awards in 5K

Age group awards in 5K

Probable cause facts in 5 slain

Facts constituting probable cause in Garland County case of five slain

Affidavits in death of 5

Arrest affidavits in November slaying of five in Garland County

Dismissal of lawsuit against Game and Fish Commission

Dismissal of lawsuit against Game and Fish Commission

2010 5K results

2010 5K results

Transfer order

Order to transfer

Brief in support of motion

Brief in support of motion for judgment

Cruelty suit

Lawsuit challenging constitutionality of law prohibiting ownership of fighting chickens

CBO analysis

Congressional Budget Office analysis

Affliliated Foods Martinez indictment

Two weeks after the former chief operating officer of the now-defunct Affiliated Foods Southwest Inc. admitted to operating a check-kiting scheme to keep the business afloat, a federal grand jury indicted the wholesale food distributor’s chief financial officer as well.

Library tax plaintiff motion

Library tax plaintiff motion

Anderson's termination letter

Anderson's termination letter

Pulaski County reponse in CALS case

Pulaski County reponse in CALS case

CALS defendant response

CALS defendant response

Wood's letter to the public

Wood's letter to the public

Decision in Proctor suit

Decision in Proctor suit

McGill report

An independent investigator has cleared Pulaski County Special School District acting Superintendent Rob McGill of an allegation that he made a racially charged comment to another district employee.

McGill report

An independent investigator has cleared Pulaski County Special School District acting Superintendent Rob McGill of an allegation that he made a racially charged comment to another district employee.

Parks improvements

Parks improvements

Robertson arrest warrant

Alvin Robertson's arrest warrant

Library tax motion

Library tax motion

Planned Revenue Stabilization Act

Planned Revenue Stabilization Act

Toyota presentation

Toyota presentation to Washington in July 2009

Joseph Stack Web site

A PDF of embeddedart.com, a Web site linked to Joseph Stack that outlines his problems with the IRS and says violence “is the only answer.”

Deputy terminated after chase, crash

The Pulaski County sheriff’s office fired a deputy and suspended a volunteer deputy after an investigation found the deputy lied about their patrol car going more than 90 miles an hour just before it slammed into an overturned Toyota they had been pursuing, according to documents obtained Thursday.

Ragland accident arrest report

This is the arrest report for the individual involved in the accident with Mr. Ragland.

Jury duty and work

Jury duty and work

Top UAMS state employee pay

Top UAMS state employee pay

Top non-higher education state employee pay

Top non-higher education state employee pay

UAMS pay, continued

UAMS pay, continued

Amended Proctor Complaint

The amended complaint against Judge Willard Proctor, Jr., and Cycle Breakers

Proctor TRO

Proctor files a temporary restraining order

Proctor lawsuit

Proctor files suit to get job back

Powerball winner

Documents relating to the $25 million Powerball winner released by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

Proctor ruling

Supreme Court ruling on Judge Proctor (PDF)

Letter from Muhammad

Copy of a letter from Abdulhakim Mujahid Muhammad, received by Circuit Court on January 14, 2010.

West Memphis Case: Order denying post-conviction relief

No new trials for two in West Memphis case

DeLeo affidavit in Cabot case

This is the affadavit in Ralph Francis DeLeo's case.

Study on health disparity

One in five Hispanics interviewed for a study by the Arkansas Minority Health Commission said they felt discriminated against when they went to doctor’s offices, hospitals or clinics in the state, according to a commission study released Tuesday.

Race to the Top Arkansas application

Arkansas' Race to the Top application

FBI sting indictments

FBI sting indictments against Alvirez and Tolleson

Casino amendment name, title approval

Casino amendment name, title approval

Roy Brooks eStem resignation letter

Brooks letter announcing his resignation at eSTEM

UALR memo to faculty and staff

UALR memo to faculty and staff

Grade inflation list

Grade inflation by schools

Bird-plane collisions reported

Reports of airplanes hitting birds and other wildlife surged last year, including serious accidents such as birds crashing through cockpits and crippling engines in flight, according to an Associated Press analysis of new government data.

County Ozone Levels

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Thursday tougher air-quality standards that would leave 650 of 675 monitored counties around the nation in violation if the rules were in place now. Four of the 675 counties are in Arkansas.

Grand jury indictment against Randeep Mann

Grand jury indictment filed against Dr. Randeep Mann and his wife

Race to the Top

Race to the Top

Crain RV incident report

Incident report from the burglary at Crain RV

DFA Revenue report for December 2009

DFA Revenue report for December 2009

NLR response to Walker

NLR responds to Walker's filing

John Walker filing

John Walker filing in desegregation case

Crime Alert: Death of man, daughter

With critical information and evidence slow in coming in the investigation into the killing of a father and his young daughter found burning in a pickup Dec. 12, Pulaski County sheriff’s office Sgt. Mike Blain decided to try something different.

Should Santa go on a diet? Pupils respond.

Pupils respond to the question 'should Santa go on a diet?'

Filing in desegregation case

Jacksonville residents used poetry in asking a federal judge to establish a process for creating a separate Jacksonville school district should the North Little Rock and Pulaski County Special school districts be declared desegregated.

Marty Nix letter

Letter from Marty Nix

Tim Clark letter

Letter from Tim Clark

Teacher walkout stats

The number of teachers not in class in the Pulaski County Special School District on the day of the walkout

Parolees 2008 report

Parolees 2008 report

Prisoners 2008

Prisoners 2008 report

Van escape disciplinary actions

The Pulaski County sheriff’s office demoted a sergeant after completing its investigation into a prisoner escape, discipline issued less than a week after the agency fired a deputy for leaving running and unattended the van the inmate used to drive away in, according to documents released Tuesday.

Losing 'Letta: Polygraph tests

The polygraph test results of Kenneth Cooney and Larry Cooney.

Losing 'Letta - Initial information report

The information report filed on Carmeletta Green when she went missing in 1982

Wainwright letter

Letter to Deputy Kimberly Wainwright

Thompson superseding indictment

Grand jury's superseding indictment on cocaine possession with intent to distribute.

Drug distribution indictment

A federal grand jury has added Ralph FrancisDeleo, age 64, of Somerville, Mass., to the pending indictment of George Wylie Thompson, age 64, of Cabot, Arkansas.

2 added to Thompson indictment

Filing of felony charges against two North Little Rock city aldermen, Cary L. Gaines, age 63, and Samuel Gaylon Baggett, age 58.

Indictment against Thompson, 2 others

The federal indictment against Thompson, 2 others

White House party crasher e-mails

White House gatecrashers went without confirmed invitation, e-mails show

Dixie Chick suit dismissed

Judge dismisses libel lawsuit against Dixie Chicks

Maurice Clemmons news clips

Clippings from news articles about Maurice Clemmons from 1989-1991.

Maurice Clemmons' 2004 parole documents

Maurice Clemmons' 2004 parole documents

Maurice Clemmons' 2000 parole documents

Maurice Clemmons' 2000 parole documents

Maurice Clemmons' clemency documents

Maurice Clemmons' clemency documents

Cary Gaines resignation letter

Cary Gaines' resignation letter

Household Food Security

One day after a federal report listed Arkansas as having the third-highest level of hunger in the nation, the Senate Agriculture committee Tuesday heard from four Arkansans who say hunger is a growing problem in their state and across the country.

Duke news release on Thompson

Jane W. Duke, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and Thomas J. Browne, Special Agent in Charge of the Little Rock Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, announced today the unsealing of two indictments returned by a federal grand jury against George Wylie Thompson, age 64, of Cabot.